John Lewis x RIXO: The Five Pieces We'd Buy Before They're Gone
In Partnership with John Lewis
The new limited-edition collaboration has arrived, bringing vintage-inspired prints, velvet, embroidery and some seriously good partywear. We've picked the pieces worth getting your hands on while you can.
There are fashion collaborations, and then there are the ones that make you stop scrolling and seriously consider your wardrobe. The new John Lewis x RIXO collection falls firmly into the latter category.
Launched on 22 October, the 44-piece collection brings together two familiar British names with rather different fashion histories. John Lewis has its department-store heritage, while RIXO, founded by friends Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey, has built a devoted following for its vintage-inspired dresses, distinctive prints and knack for making occasionwear feel genuinely wearable.
The result is a collection that looks particularly well timed for the party season, but there's plenty here with a life beyond Christmas. Think velvet dresses, beautifully embroidered jackets, statement knitwear, romantic florals and accessories with a distinctly retro appeal.
And there's a particularly interesting story behind some of those prints. The designers have delved into the John Lewis Partnership Archive, which dates back to 1849, reviving a historic floral design across three pieces in the collection.
Prices start at £65 for accessories and rise to £525 for the most elaborate dresses. These aren't throwaway purchases, but nor are they intended to be. RIXO's appeal has always been about clothes you want to keep, wear again and eventually rediscover at the back of your wardrobe.
With this being a limited-edition collection, our advice is to identify your favourites sooner rather than later.
The Hood Edit: Five Pieces Worth Buying Before They're Gone
1. The Little Black Dress, Reconsidered
The Francie is the sort of black dress you buy once and find excuses to wear for years. The velvet finish, halterneck and oversized bow provide just enough drama, without a sequin in sight. Perfect for Christmas parties, black-tie invitations and those occasions when you want to feel properly dressed up.
2. The Jacket You'll Keep Forever
There's something wonderfully decadent about a beautifully embroidered velvet jacket, particularly one that looks as good with jeans as it does with eveningwear. The cropped Cliona has intricate detailing and a vintage sensibility that makes it feel like something you might have discovered in a particularly good second-hand boutique. One of the collection's standout pieces.
3. The Red Dress With Staying Power
There are few things more effective than a beautifully cut red dress, and the Vesper is just that. With its softly gathered neckline and flowing silhouette, it's an elegant alternative to more predictable partywear. Wear it with gold jewellery and heels for Christmas, then bring it out again for summer occasions. At £195, it's also one of the more accessible dresses in the collection.
4. A Little Old-School Glamour
A fabulous faux-fur jacket has the ability to transform whatever you're wearing underneath. The Peppi, in a rich burgundy shade, brings a distinctly vintage glamour to proceedings. We love it styled over a floral dress, as seen in the campaign, but it would look equally good with black trousers and a simple top. Not one for blending into the background.
5. The Blouse That Makes An Entrance
Not every Christmas invitation requires a new dress. Sometimes a really good top is all you need. The Sia blouse, with its metallic gold finish and dramatic ruffles, is unapologetically glamorous. Pair it with wide-leg black trousers and let it do the talking. It's also the sort of piece you'll be pleased to have tucked away when an unexpected evening invitation arrives.