Lydia Millen’s sold-out Fairfax & Favor has finally been restocked

Luxury handbags are often judged by the logo on the front, but Lydia Millen wanted hers to be remembered for something entirely different. At a time when fashion is increasingly driven by fleeting trends and viral moments, the content creator and fashion tastemaker set out to create a collection rooted in timeless British craftsmanship, understated elegance and investment dressing.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, Lydia reveals why creating future heirlooms – not fleeting trends – became the philosophy behind her latest collaboration with British heritage label Fairfax & Favor. The Town & Country collection has become one of the year’s biggest fashion success stories, with both launches selling out in around 10 minutes.

The burgundy clutch quickly emerged as the standout bestseller, while repeated restocks suggest shoppers simply can’t get enough.

Yet Lydia is quick to point out that commercial success was never the driving force behind the collaboration. Instead, every silhouette, colour and finishing touch was inspired by her own lifestyle, creating handbags that move effortlessly between countryside living and city life without compromising on elegance or practicality.

Asked where the inspiration first began, Lydia explains: “The starting point was creating pieces that genuinely fit the way I live. I live in the countryside and head to London regularly, so I wanted a collection that blurred the line between town and country without compromising on elegance. I wanted the bags to work just as well for a walk to the village pub as they do for a swanky dinner in Mayfair!

She added, “From the very beginning, Fairfax & Favor gave me the opportunity to be incredibly hands-on, and together we considered every detail – from the silhouettes and functionality through to the quality of the materials. It was all about creating timeless pieces that felt beautifully refined but also completely practical for everyday life.”

That design philosophy feels perfectly aligned with Fairfax & Favor itself. For more than a decade, the British family-run leather goods atelier has quietly built a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, seamlessly blending classic countryside styling with contemporary elegance. It’s a formula that has earned the brand a loyal following among everyone from racegoers to members of the Royal Family, including Zara Tindall who is a brand ambassador – making Lydia’s aesthetic feel like a natural extension of the label’s story.

Reflecting on the partnership, she says the collaboration worked because both she and the brand shared the same appreciation for timeless British design.

“As a brand, Fairfax & Favor have been at the forefront of beautiful British design for over a decade – their sense of self, detail and quality craftsmanship is something to be admired and respected. The way they seamlessly blend classic country style with contemporary aesthetic is faultless and nods perfectly to my personal style and this ‘Town & Country’ collection.”

That appreciation for British heritage became one of the defining principles behind the entire collection. While fashion trends may come and go, Lydia was determined to create pieces that felt as relevant years from now as they do today.

Lydia’s philosophy extends far beyond aesthetics. Increasingly, shoppers are moving away from fast fashion in favour of investment pieces that promise longevity, and she believes true sustainability begins long before a handbag reaches someone’s wardrobe. Rather than chasing seasonal trends, every design decision was shaped by quality materials, timeless silhouettes and exceptional craftsmanship, ensuring the bags become pieces women will continue reaching for year after year.

“For me, sustainability begins with creating pieces you’ll genuinely treasure and wear for years. Throughout the design process, we focused on longevity – choosing quality materials, timeless silhouettes and thoughtful craftsmanship so these are bags you’ll still be reaching for many years from now. I’ve always believed in investing in pieces that stand the test of time and can be passed down as heirlooms in future! Ultimately, if the cost per wear becomes pennies – I think we would have done well as it will mean the bags have been lovingly used in the way I so want them to be!”

The idea of creating future “heirlooms” is something Lydia returns to repeatedly throughout our conversation. She describes her own style as becoming increasingly pared back in recent years, favouring beautifully made essentials over fleeting statement pieces.

“My style has always centred around timeless, elegant dressing and more recently, I’ve started to pair things back a little bit. I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of simple, well-made pieces that don’t need elaborate design details to make an impact. That’s exactly the approach I wanted to take with this collection.”

Perhaps nowhere is that philosophy more evident than in Lydia’s favourite design from the collection – the clutch. Rather than creating something driven purely by aesthetics, she set out to solve a problem she’d experienced in her own wardrobe for years: finding a beautifully proportioned evening bag that still offered enough space for everyday essentials.

“The Clutch! It’s the bag that I’ve always dreamed of but have never been able to find – it feels incredibly personal because it solves a problem I’ve spent years trying to solve in my own wardrobe! It’s got all the dimensions of a really beautiful small bag, and yet it packs so much space. It’s also a bag that seamlessly transitions from day wear to occasion wear, which I have loved seeing!

Shoppers clearly agreed. According to Fairfax & Favor, the clutch was the first piece to sell out during launch, while the burgundy colourway has become the collection’s biggest bestseller overall. Following overwhelming demand, the label has already carried out between three and four restocks across its core range, alongside a further restock of the newest chocolate colourway.

Despite the success, Lydia insists that the collection’s greatest luxury lies in the details that many shoppers may not immediately notice. Rather than covering the bags with oversized logos, she preferred subtle design features that reveal themselves over time.

With two sell-out collections already behind her, many shoppers are inevitably wondering whether another collaboration is already in the works. Lydia is staying tight-lipped.

“Working with Fairfax & Favor is such a dream because it’s been a truly collaborative partnership from day one. I can’t give anything away, but right now I’m incredibly excited to see this current collection out in the world and being enjoyed,” she shared.

Judging by how quickly her previous collections disappeared from shelves, it seems shoppers are just as excited to see what comes next. More than anything, however, Lydia hopes these bags become part of women’s lives rather than simply another purchase – investment pieces that gather stories, memories and character with every wear, proving that the most enduring luxury is never defined by a logo, but by craftsmanship, longevity and the moments carried with it.