SPOTLIGHT ON... Shibumi; Where Occasion Wear Becomes an Art Form

There are brands that make clothes, and then there are brands that make a statement. Shibumi, the Gloucestershire-based occasion wear label founded by Ruthie Guise, belongs firmly in the second category. The name itself is telling. Shibumi is a Japanese word that broadly translates to effortless perfection, which is very fitting for a brand that has built its reputation not on trend-chasing, but on the enduring power of exceptional fabric and timeless design.

Ruthie's fashion story begins in childhood, when she was inspired by watching her grandmother Ruth at work. She was a couture dressmaker in her own right, and Ruthie was in awe of her craftsmanship and the legacy of creativity in their family. 

Later, time spent living in India deepened Ruthie's fascination with textiles. She was inspired by the colours, weaves and countless design opportunities held within each bolt of cloth. When she founded Shibumi in 2004, it was with the conviction that the fabrics she had fallen in love with deserved to be worn and not simply kept for occasions that might never arrive. 

That conviction sits at the heart of everything Shibumi makes. The timeless collection is centred on high quality plain silk satins in rich, flattering colours and the brand's own exquisite embroidered silks, velvet and cashmere. Production takes place in India, a country that holds genuine personal significance for her, and the relationship with the artisans there reflects a deep respect for the craft and the people behind it. 

Weddings and parties, of course, are where Shibumi's clothes truly come into their own. The collection is extraordinarily well-suited to the full sweep of a wedding party. 

Mothers of the bride and groom find in Shibumi something they often struggle to locate elsewhere: outfits that are elegant yet cheerful, distinctive yet demure enough not to overshadow the host. Bridesmaids are catered for with silk slip dresses and jumpsuits that feel luxurious rather than uniform. There is even a bridal collection and a morning bride range, extending Shibumi's signature style into the most intimate hours before the ceremony begins. 

For grooms and the men in the wedding party, Shibumi's menswear collection offers Nehru jackets, blazers, waistcoats and coats that complement the women's pieces without feeling overly coordinated or contrived. A brand that dresses both halves of a couple with equal flair is a rare thing. 

The Guise family also has deep roots in the area, and her brother Anselm is the present owner of Elmore Court, an award-winning Cotswold wedding venue. 

The Cotswolds has a deep history with textile arts and as a region has always valued the handmade, the quietly exceptional and original, and Shibumi embodies all of those things. It is perhaps no surprise, then, that HRH The Princess Royal has favoured Shibumi's designs on several occasions, and that HELLO magazine has interviewed Ruthie on shaping the royal wardrobe. For a label based in a quiet Gloucestershire showroom, it was a moment of well-deserved national recognition, and a testament to the authority that Shibumi's designs carry at the very highest levels. 

To visit Shibumi's showroom, or to browse the collection online: https://www.shibumistyle.com/