The Power of the Pink Tassel
The Regina boot has for seasons been a firm favourite of ladies seeking to punctuate an outfit with an elegant dose of British luxury. Impeccably stylish, hardwearing and flattering to boot, the Regina, resilient to the whims of fast fashion endures as a timeless icon.
With this in mind, Fairfax and Favor founders Felix Favor Parker and Marcus Fairfax Fountaine recognised an opportunity to harness her influence, funnelling the Regina’s reputation as a hallmark of classic British style into raising money for Breast Cancer Care. The cause is not only close to the hearts of women across the globe but also charged with significance for Marcus and Felix themselves whose grandmothers were both diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
Part of the Regina boots' mystique derives from the tassels that sashay as you saunter, while their easily detachable nature is a practical way to personalise your pair. Felix and Marcus chose to capitalise on this by designing a special edition pink leather tassel retailing at £30 with 100% of the proceeds going to British Cancer Care; a charity that works tirelessly to offer emotional and practical support to women living with and beyond breast cancer. The charity also campaigns to improve standards of support and promotes the importance of early detection.
The tassel was produced with both style and versatility in mind, adding a feminine pink swoosh not only to their best-selling boots but also to handbags and keyrings.
The initiative garnered the support of celebrities from every walk of life including heroine of the Rio Olympic Games and three times gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin, sports reporting’s leading lady Clare Balding and trans- Atlantic backing from ex-pussycat doll, Kimberly Wyatt. This unprecedented support from numerous celebrities, teamed with the appearance of butter-wouldn’t-melt Fairfax & Favor mascot Pollo: the charming red cocker spaniel in the initiative’s promotional video whose presence helped to shatter the original £10,000 target, raising a cool £14,854 for BCC. Meanwhile bloggers, Peexo, Hattie West, Crystal Lily, Made in Chelsea’s Georgia Toffolo, wildlife presenter Kate Humble, Horse and Hound writer, Alice Collins and Sky Sports presenter Alex Hammond all endorsed the initiative with a cascade of Instagram posts, Facebook shares and Snapchats.
Considering 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and tragically nearly 12,000 people die from the disease in the UK each year, it is hardly surprising that the campaign attracted such a wealth of support on both a domestic and international level.
Felix and Marcus visited Breast Cancer Care HQ earlier this month to present the £14,854 cheque amassed by the pink tassel proceeds. Alex Raven, Head of Community Fundraising at Breast Cancer Care thanked Felix and Marcus with the words, ‘we’re so grateful to Fairfax and Favor for raising a fantastic £14,855 for Breast Cancer Care by selling their limited edition pink tassels during October. The money raised will help Breast Cancer Care to continue to provide free services including; support over the phone with a nurse or someone who’s been there, welcoming online forums, reliable information and local group support. With the support from organisations like Fairfax and Favor, we can be here for more people, whenever they needs us.’
Although the pink tassels are no longer on sale, Fairfax and Favor will be continuing their support for BCC next year; roll on October 2017.
What’s next for Regina?
Fairfax and Favor’s Regina boot originated as a countryside classic but has now permeated onto the pavements of Britain’s cities owing to their carefree elegance and feminine charm. The boots defy the whims of fast fashion being instead an investment piece to carry you from town to country season after season. Recently the Regina’s sturdier sister, the Imperial Explorer boot became available in a rich mahogany hue. Carrying the same stylish panache as the Regina boot, but made from durable water resistant leather, the Imperial Explorer boot will ensure you’re shod to scale even the wildest of country.
