We Speak Brands

Refined Brands adds Kettlewell Colours to portfolio

Published

3 years ago

January 25, 2023

Cornwall-based Refined Brands, the parent company of Celtic & Co and Frugi, has added womenswear brand Kettlewell Colours to its growing portfolio of fashion businesses.

Refined Brands acquired Frugi in November 2022 and Turtle Doves earlier in January.

Founded in 2004 by Melissa and John Nicholson, Kettlewell Colours specialises in colourful clothing for women. Headquartered in Somerset, Kettlewell Colours sells wardrobe essentials in over 300 colours to customers internationally – working predominantly with small, family-run factories in Portugal, Turkey and the UK.

The company uses sustainable fabrics made using plant-based fibre lyocell, which is made from raw cellulose extracted from wood pulp, and also eco-friendly viscose, made using cellulose fibres by Lenzing.

Nicholson said: “I am thrilled to be joining a fantastic group of entrepreneurial British brands with sustainability at their heart. I am really looking forward to partnering with the Refined Brands team to accelerate the growth of Kettlewell Colours in the UK and internationally, introducing more people to the powerful benefits of wearing your best colours.”

James Williams, group managing director of Refined Brands, said: “We have long been admirers of Kettlewell’s philosophy, renowned for products that offer longevity with a focus on maximising your full wardrobe and a cost per wear ethos at the heart. Working alongside the team, we are looking forward to extending natural, organic and recycled fibres through the range over the coming seasons.”

Ben Barnett, chairman of the group, added: “Refined Brands seeks to create a differentiated family of sustainable fashion brands, alongside founders and teams that share our passion and vision. Melissa, John and the Kettlewell Colours team have built a phenomenally engaged community built around a deep understanding of colour.””

Kvika Bank acted as financial advisor to Refined Brands during the transaction while Berkshire-based BCMS acted on behalf of Kettlewell Colours. Financial details of the acquisition were not revealed.

According to Refined Brands, Kettlewell Colours reported revenue of £8.9 million in the last 12 months.

We Speak Brands

Lee Mendelson Film Production’s 12” Limited Edition Heart-Shaped “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” LP Now Available

Published

3 months ago

January 20, 2026

Jimmy Star

Lee Mendelson Film Productions proudly announces the release of their new 12” Limited Edition heart-shaped “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” LP, for a deeply personal project that honors and extends the timeless legacy created by their father, legendary producer Lee Mendelson, and composer Vince Guaraldi. More than an album, this release is a continuation of a cultural conversation that has resonated across generations.

For decades, the Charlie Brown specials and their music have remained an enduring part of American life. Their longevity is no accident. The legacy endures because, for the first time in popular culture, children spoke to one another honestly about feelings—about loneliness, hope, disappointment, joy, and belonging. Vince Guaraldi’s gentle, expressive compositions, paired with Lee Mendelson’s groundbreaking storytelling, allowed those emotions to be felt rather than explained, creating a rare emotional authenticity that continues to connect with audiences of all ages.

The 12” Limited Edition heart-shaped “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” LP is rooted in that same emotional truth. Designed to reflect sincerity, love, and connection, the project carries forward the spirit of music that speaks directly to the heart. Rather than recreating the past, Jason and Sean Mendelson build upon it, honoring Guaraldi’s melodic warmth while introducing their own contemporary voice and perspective.

This album is the first variant release from LMFP in 2026 that will begin the commemoration of 75 years since Vince Guaraldi started his recording career and 50 years since he passed away.

“This is the warmest, most lyrical musical offering of all the Guaraldi Peanuts scores,” Sean Mendelson said. “Additionally, I am proud to say that Lee Mendelson Film Productions is continuing with our sustainability efforts by manufacturing the heart-shaped LP in the bio-attributed method, which means it uses 90% less Carbon than a traditional record.”

The release stands as a tribute to a family legacy that changed how music and storytelling could communicate emotion, especially through the lens of childhood. It also marks a new chapter—one that respects tradition while embracing evolution.

With this heart-shaped album, the Mendelson’s reaffirm that music born from authenticity never fades. It becomes timeless.

Order the 12” Limited Edition heart-shaped “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” LP here:

https://recordstoreday.com/UPC/760137199380

Follow Lee Mendelson Film Productions on IG @leemendelsonfilmproductions