Born to Roam: Hayley Menzies

In 2010, Hayley set up a stall in Portobello Market selling her debut edit of pieces designed and made in collaboration with craftspeople she met whilst travelling in Asia. Fast forward over a decade later, and you’ll discover how her adventures have continued to infuse her creations with a kaleidoscope of cultural influences, from prints inspired by the vibrant plant life of Costa Rica and South Africa to craftmanship native to India and Mexico.
Now, for our latest collection, we touch down in the dusty landscape of Marrakech. We caught up with Hayley to hear more about her boundless curiosity, her favourite places and where she’s heading next.

This collection feels like a bold shift for the brand. What made you want to move in a new direction this season?  

Since the birth of my Leopardess Duster, I’ve been designing bold prints with a bright colour palette and I felt it was time to evolve or actually rewind to our softer feminine aesthetic of circa 2017.

 

How has your own traveling experience informed your creative process? 

I love cultures and places that take pride in their traditional crafts. Places with a very different landscape to England… the sense of freedom, adventure, and discovery I feel when I’m exploring these lands are woven into my own collections.

  HAYLEY WEARS DANCING GIRLS VISCOSE CUT OUT HANDKERCHIEF DRESS

 

Having been inspired by other countries, how do you maintain a portobello feel? 

Portobello is a melting pot of cultures and eras anchored by the market where I started the brand in 2010. Portobello is our heritage and celebrates the amalgamation of creative influences so is ingrained within my collections.

 

What do you look for when choosing a destination to travel to?  

It depends on what day you ask me and what I want to get from the trip… right now I’m energised and feel like letting loose so Ibiza would be top of the list! For visual inspiration I’d look for a culture shock, a developing country with a creative heritage. For deep nourishing, somewhere remote in nature; a rainforest or jungle and to be woken by the sound of monkeys and birds… ohhh actually that might even beat Ibiza right now…  

 

Where would you go again and again? 

Morroco

 

HAYLEY WEARS WAVES COTTON INTARSIA DRESS

Sandy beaches or snowy slopes? 

Both

 

Which item of the collection will travel with you everywhere? 

I’m just going to take them all in one huge suitcase!

 

What's on your sunshine playlist?

La Isla Bonita, Madonna

 

Favourite global cuisine?  

Lebanese, but also love Thai and Indian.

 

Sundowner of choice?  

Pina Colada

 

HAYLEY WEARS TIE DYE LOW BACK SLIP DRESS (COMING SOON) 

xxHayley