Even if we're being tricked by the sun into thinking spring is on its way this week, living in London, one must always be prepared for changeable weather conditions. For me, this means being accompanied everywhere by an umbrella, or draping an emergency raincoat over my shoulders. The umbrella is an easy find, but I’ve been hanging on to a 10-year-old Miu Miu raincoat that I never want to use too much for fear of wearing it out. So I’m happy to report that I have found a new label focused predominantly on gorgeous rain gear.  Wanda Nylon is a Paris-based brand launched in 2013, whose initial inspiration came from re-imagining the use of waterproof materials. The two creative directors behind the label met during the Hyères festival in the South of France in 2007, and soon began collaborating. Peter Hornsteain, a German fashion designer specialising in high tech materials and Johanna Senyk, a stylist and casting director, made a big splash with their sexy rainwear that injected excitement into the rather functional waterproof mac.  Now, they come in a tortoiseshell finish, or plain transparent plastic, lined or trimmed with fun colours. The way they have reinvented such a staple is so simple and effective, it’s one of those “why didn’t anyone think of this sooner?” moments.  Wanda Nylon’s idea to relaunch transparent raincoats – the iconic 1960s version that everyone remembers, but no one could find – resulted in a perfect silhouette, too. In the beginning, a lot of retailers were afraid of the material (plastic!!!), thinking it would be too stiff or turn yellow with age as most vintage plastic garments do. But the designers persevered and managed to develop their own, quality material, even making it machine-washable. This plastic is part of Wanda Nylon’s signature now and in the UK retailers such as Fenwick and Opening Ceremony are snapping it up for their discerning customers.  The brand also launched knitwear at the end of last year, and its rainwear and plastic pieces now only make up around 10 per cent of the collection. But for me, those are really the standout pieces, from the clear plastic trench, to the trimmed biker jackets.  Now, when the weather inevitably takes a turn again, there’s no excuse for showing up to work looking like a cat dragged through a car wash when we can all be (stylishly) singing in the rain.
Caroline Issa gets ready to face those inevitable April showers with style in slick new rainwear label, Wanda Nylon