To celebrate the launch of our new snoods, we sat down with Textile Designer Jennifer Parkinson to discuss how these cosy new accessories came to life. From the initial design inspiration to the finer details that make each style unique, read on to discover more about our latest cosy essentials.
What was the inspiration behind introducing snoods to the accessories line?
We’ve noticed the snood hood style becoming increasingly popular over the last couple of years, and we felt it was a fresh shape that would be a great addition to our collection this year. It also fits perfectly with what we look for in a product. We want our thermal accessories to be soft, warm, high quality and, most importantly, something our customers genuinely want to wear every day. I feel that once our customers try this snood, it will become one of those winter essentials they won’t want to be without!
The shape also offers that little bit of extra warmth compared to a traditional hat, which is a real bonus on those cold winter days. I enjoyed wear-testing the product last winter, and what I loved most was how comfortable it felt. It didn’t feel restrictive at all, while still giving that lovely extra coverage around the neck and ears. It’s particularly great on a cold, blustery day when you want to feel cosy and protected without compromising on comfort or style.
Why did you decide to finish off one of the snoods with faux fur?
We felt adding the faux fur trim to the Nikita really elevated the overall look of the snood. It gives it that little bit of extra luxury, while also having a really practical benefit of keeping you warm with the extra coverage around the face. Whether you’re popping out with the dog on a chilly early morning, or packing it for a wintery outdoor adventure, the faux fur adds that cosy finishing touch. It’s one of those details that looks lovely but also has a real purpose, which is exactly what we wanted from the design.
What are the main differences between the 3 new snoods?
Each of the three snoods has its own personality, so there’s something to suit different levels of warmth and different ways of wearing them.
The Nikita is our warmest snood and is all about that ultimate cosy feeling. Think those cold winter mornings when you’re stepping out from the comfort of a warm house the Nikita is like taking a little bit of that comfort with you! It gives you lovely coverage and warmth when you really need it, helping to keep that bitter chill at bay.
The Fern is our lighter weight option, perfect for those days when you want to take the edge off the cold without needing something quite as substantial. I love how versatile this one is too, you can wear it up as a hood or simply drop it down and style it as a neck warmer. We’ve also chosen some beautiful neutral shades, so they’re really easy to wear and work effortlessly with most coats and jackets this season.
The Nevis has a more casual, outdoor feel, with its double-sided deluxe HEAT WEAVER lining. It’s such an easy style to wear and works really well for both men and women. I can see this one becoming a favourite for long
weekend walks, and it’s also practical for layering underneath your jacket hood when the weather turns colder. So, whether you’re looking for maximum warmth, something lightweight and versatile, or a more casual outdoor style, there’s a snood hood to suit.
What were the must-have features you wanted to include from the very beginning?
The biggest must-have for us was our beautiful, soft and warm Heat Weaver lining. It’s such an important part of what makes our products feel so cosy, so we knew from the start that we wanted to bring that into the snood collection.
We also wanted to be thoughtful about the outer fabrics we chose. They needed to complement our signature Heat Weaver lining, while still giving the snoods the right feel, comfort and look. For us, it was all about bringing those elements together to create something that feels as good as it looks, soft,
warm and really lovely to wear.
What other pieces would you style with a snood for a must-have autumn look?
Although our snoods are great practical pieces, we’ve designed them to be so much more than that. They’re an easy way to add another layer to your autumn/winter wardrobe, whilst keeping your look feeling stylish and
effortless.
We’ve also introduced matching gloves to accompany the Nikita and Fern snood hood styles; the Hollis and Skye styles. I really like the idea of wearing the two together, there’s something about a matching set that instantly pulls an outfit together. And, of course, when the temperature really starts to drop, having those extra layers make all the difference.
How many versions of the snood did you go through before landing on the final designs?
We actually had a pretty clear vision for the snoods from quite early on in the design process, so we knew what we wanted them to look and feel like. That said, we did explore a few different options along the way, particularly when it came to the cable knits for the Nikita, to make sure we found the right texture and finish. We also introduced a new outer fabric for the Fern this year, which I’m really excited about. It has a lovely textured, slightly rustic feel that gives it a subtle chic Scandi influence. It’s those little details and fabric choices that really helped bring each snood to life and give the three styles their own individual character.
How do you test whether a product is genuinely as cosy as it looks?
I suppose the ultimate test of cosiness is putting it to the team! Everyone at HQ gets involved in trying on the different options, and we’ll keep testing and comparing until we find the one that really feels like a winner. You can usually tell when we’ve got something special because the team starts asking, “When will these be available to take home?” If everyone wants to keep one for themselves, we know we’re onto something.
What’s next for Heat Holders’ accessories collection?
We’ll be keeping our eyes open for any new trends that start to emerge, as well as exploring interesting new fabrics and materials that we can bring into the range for AW27. Although we have a great selection of core, essential winter styles, it’s always exciting to see what newness we can introduce and how we can keep the collection feeling fresh. I think the new snood styles are going to be such a great addition to the range. And, of course, if our customers love them as much as we do, it would be lovely to explore introducing them in some new colours too!
Ready to embrace the colder days in comfort? Discover our new accessories for ladies and men, and give your autumn and winter wardrobe a cosy upgrade. Complete your cold-weather essentials with our super-soft loungewear, or make staying in extra special with our luxury faux fur thermal blankets. However you choose to get cosy, Heat Holders has you covered!
