I visited Margaret Howell's roots and visited her flagship store on Wigmore Street in London, England. It's that time of year when we look forward to Christmas, and people start to show up looking for presents.
What kind of Christmas does Margaret spend? Last week, we asked her about her childhood memories of Christmas, which she says she spends at home with family and friends. This week, we asked her about Christmas meals and more. Her desire to continue to cherish and pass down traditional British recipes is something that I share with my clothing design.
--Tell us about your Christmas cooking
Margaret (hereafter M): I make dinner and sweets using a recipe book edited by the National Trust that my sister gave me about 30 years ago. It's well-used and stained, but it's a very important book to me. When it comes to recipes, I seem to go well with old-fashioned ones. The process of cooking is also one of the joys. I prepare mincemeat (dried fruits and other ingredients soaked in liquor) for mince pies in November. Traditional British Christmas pudding keeps well, so I make enough for two years. The highlight of dinner is lighting a Christmas pudding with brandy in a darkened room. I still cherish the traditional recipe of using beef tallow for sweets.
A treasured recipe book given to me by my sister about 30 years ago
--I sense a connection between your work and Margaret's clothing.
M: Yes, that's true. I also make clothes with a focus on materials and craftsmanship, so I think the foundation of my creations is inheriting tradition while reconstructing it. Looking back, my Christmas seems to have changed very little since my childhood. Every year, I spend Christmas at home with family and close friends, surrounded by candlelight, a Christmas tree, the smell of delicious food, and the sound of carol singing. It's both a time to mark the end of the year and a time to recharge my batteries for the next project.
Part 1: "Margaret Howell talks about the Christmases of her childhood. Traditional British Christmas celebrations -- 1/2"
[Message from Margaret Howell]
■Christmas gift campaign
From November 16th to December 25th, Margaret Howell stores nationwide are running a campaign in which 120 people will be entered into a draw to win a wonderful gift from among those who shop.
For more information click here → Visit the official Margaret Howell campaign site
■View the Christmas catalogue
【Inquiries】
Margareth Howell
TEL: 03-5467-7864
www.margarethowell.jp
