An Unexpected Escape To The Chateau: Jack Stillman x ETTC
It’s a cold, rainy night. I have just settled into my designated nook on the couch. Mum walks in and delivers me a hot cup of tea (English Breakfast, of course). Our favourite show is on.
We’ve been doing this dance for a few years now. I don’t watch too much television with Mum as our tastes usually differ- but we’ve always shared this- Escape to the Chateau.
It's a familiar dream, isn't it? Packing up your life, moving to a foreign country and restoring a magnificent historic home to its former glory. We loved watching the dedication, sweat and sheer perseverance required to turn such an ambitious endeavour into something worthwhile.
We admired Angel’s creative eye, and extraordinary flair for design. She is a true visionary when it comes to reimagining a space. Meanwhile, Dick being a master craftsman & engineer, with years of experience under his belt, would offer a simple ‘yes dear’ and dutifully turn the vision into reality.
They make a dynamic team, who are endlessly enjoyable to watch. The two are very business-minded, and I always appreciated their keen eye for branding, story-telling and the value of a good idea.
By this stage, our family business, Jack Stillman, had been producing waxed canvas bags and outdoor gear for years. Naturally, Mum had developed a habit of spotting potential customers whenever the opportunity arose.
She would often say to me (as helpful mothers so often do);
“Tia, you know you should really be sending your ponchos out to Dick and Angel. Look at the weather! It would prove it’s worth working in the walled garden in the Winter.”
To which I would roll my eyes.
“You realise it’s not that simple, I wouldn’t even know how to get into contact with them!
If there was a way I could showcase our products to all the influential people, I'd already have done it…”
Was it a moody reply? Absolutely.
And do I regret my asinine tude’? A little.
When I look back on this interaction, truthfully, I think Mum planted a cosmic seed that night.
The ‘Oh Sh*t!’ Moment
August, 2025:
Sitting in a coffee shop in town, engrossed as I comb through the daily inbox. An enquiry came through from a fellow in France regarding our Ranger poncho.
I get to crafting my typical response “Here are its dimensions, here’s how it fits etc.”
And then I noticed the name of this prospective customer.
Dick Strawbridge.
What are the odds there’s more than one Dick Strawbridge that lives in France?
This was my first thought.
When reality started to sink in, I had to consciously keep my lid on before I did something deeply embarrassing in public. Naturally, I called Mum instantly.
Communications and pleasantries ensued. Of course I had to mention my mother and I being fans of the show, otherwise she’d never forgive me for forgetting her. Dick was very gracious and offered a pleasant ‘hello!’ from all at the Chateau.
I was giddier than a kid in a candy shop.
Ever the professional- I quickly threw on my business hat, and organised an order for the Strawbridges right away, it was August in France, Autumn was just around the corner, and the word on the street was that they might be filming a new season!
At this moment in time, I was aware that Angel had just released her own line of custom kimonos, one of her signature Chateau looks.
As cheeky as it was, you miss 100% of the chances you don’t take. So I dropped my anchor:
“A huge congrats to Angela on her kimono line- what a beautiful collection! I’ve been eyeing one for myself, actually.
We happen to own and operate our own manufacturing workshop, so if a crossover idea ever piqued your interest, we’d be open to exploring that. The Ranger, in particular, is not far off a waxed canvas kimono as it is. 😉”
And wouldn’t you know- we happened to be on the exact same page. In fact, waxed canvas gear was already on their radar. As avid fans of Barbour, these two knew exactly what we were about.
The possibilities were flooding my mind. Visions popping up like popcorn kernels.
What had started as a standard customer enquiry was blossoming into a collaborative project I could never have fathomed.
Naturally, it took a few days for the products to arrive on the Chateau's doorstep. Anxiously, the team and I were holding our breath on their final verdict. Would they like the quality? Will they still want to pursue a collaboration?
Well, lo and behold the Strawbridges loved the gear!
We were told the ponchos had earned their keep and now had a permanent spot in their famous mudroom.
Angel applauded our specific design details, from the fabric, the stitching, to the branded packaging and unboxing experience. To hear feedback like that from someone who I always admired was high praise indeed!
Crafting A Collection
The two families- the Stillmans & Strawbridges, separated by two oceans and a difference of eight time zones met as all savvy modern creatives do- via a Zoom call.
Not your average Monday morning work meeting, I'll tell you that much.
It was here that the idea came to fruition. Capes. Garden belts. Aprons. These were going to be the basis of our collaboration.
You cannot claim to be a fan of Escape To The Chateau if you’ve never observed Angel flouncing around the property in her signature Victorian cape, pruning in the walled garden with her shears in hand, or if you’d never noticed Dick sweating in the kitchen Apron donned, prepping a high-stakes meal for a wedding party.
These three products were thoughtfully considered, and we like to think they combine our two brands perfectly. Of course, dreaming up products on a zoom call is one thing, making them reality is another.
With a heightened flame up our hineys, we got straight to work.
The following months were spent refining our ideas and figuring out how to turn them into working prototypes.
In March, Dad and I flew to Da Nang, Vietnam, where our family has owned and operated its own manufacturing workshop since 2018.
Our goal was to oversee the development of this collection's prototypes. Here we recorded all the progress, and relayed back to the others about what was working, and what needed revision.
One thing that took more trial and error than anticipated was perfecting the cape's sleeves and shoulder slope. We wanted something universally sized, with a flattering drape that would work just as well on Angel as it would on someone with a taller, broader frame.
Our head tailor, Mr Thoi, has been working alongside the Stillman family for years. He's no stranger to Dad appearing at the cutting table with another ambitious idea.
But this particular design certainly gave us all a run for our money. We went back and forth at least three times, and just when we thought we'd cracked it, another adjustment sent us right back to the drawing board.
By the end of it, I suspect Mr Thoi was thoroughly sick of hearing the word "cape".
The Garden Belt and Apron didn't get away scot-free either- both products had their fair share of revisions. We wanted to strike the right balance between genuine utility and thoughtful design, rather than getting carried away with flashy finishes.
After taking some of Dick's personal feedback on board, we stripped the designs back to their bare bones.
The Garden Belt (Le Jardinier Waist Apron) was originally conceived with a buckle-style closure, but we eventually found that longer tie straps offered greater flexibility. The Apron also went through some revisions. It started off a basic design. Dad had actually proposed doing some diagonal front chest pockets which we thought looked cool! However, they weren't that practical, so we ditched the idea.
Sometimes, less really is more.
One of our earliest Garden Belt concepts, complete with a proposed buckle closure, reinforced stitching and various pocket configurations. Not every idea makes it into the finished product!
After a few rounds of revisions, we had two products that were practical, comfortable to use and still looked the part.
Finished Design- Le Jardinier Waist Apron
The Chateau Touches
Once we had ironed out the kinks in the overall design of the products, now came the fun touches. We wanted to make sure that the personality of the Chateau shone through. The exterior was waxed cotton canvas, so we definitely had left our mark, but how could we convey this as a collaborative product?
One of the most iconic creations to come from the Chateau was Angel’s ‘Museum of Wallpaper’. Cast your minds back to season 1 of the show. Tucked away in a vintage armoire in the attic, Angel stumbled upon dozens of beautiful offcuts of antique wallpapers. The same designs that were scattered amongst the home from the era it was fashioned. Ingeniously, Angel combined all these fabulous offcuts into their own unique diamond pattern. This pattern features through various rooms throughout the Chateau.
Pictured: Angel's 'Museum Of Wallpaper'
This same pattern is now adorned across their own Chateau collection here.
I instantly knew that this was the sort of thing we would have loved to incorporate into our final product, but we wanted our own unique twist. I decided to take inspiration from some of the older striped wallpapers in this pattern, and hone in on those. I chose the striped patterns as personally- I am stripe MAD! Any opportunity to use them, and I'll run with it... Of course, the stripes also felt more versatile, and unisex, which was important for our collection too.
Paired with a refreshed colour palette of aubergine, jungle green and small threads of gold we developed a unique liner that both the Stillmans & Strawbridges could be proud of.
Pictured: Our Finished Liner Pattern
We wanted something that would distinguish this collection from our everyday range, while staying true to the heritage hardware and materials we've become known for.
And, naturally, Dad wasn't about to let a detail like that go overlooked. Each cape includes our limited-edition commemorative brass Chateau Pin depicting Chateau de la Motte-Husson- the magnificent property at the heart of Escape to the Chateau. It is a small finishing detail for a piece made to have a story of its own.
A Smidge Of Jealousy On My End
By July, we'd finally locked in the designs and ordered our materials. After months of development, the collection was on track for its Christmas debut.
After almost a year of back and forth communication with the Strawbridges, both parties were keen to meet in person! However, being so globally separated made it slightly difficult.
Every year, in late July an event occurs in the rural United Kingdom called The Game Fair. Think the Royal Show, but infinitely more appealing.
Dick, Angel and their two children Dorothy & Arthur are regular faces at this event. Offering meet & greets, cooking workshops and insights into their lifestyle and passion for all things Country-living.
As Jake, my brother and our General Manager at Jack Stillman, had been living in London since February, he was perfectly positioned to become our family's first official representative on English soil.
He was graciously invited by the Strawbridges to join them at The Game Fair, giving him the chance to finally put faces to the names we'd been corresponding with for almost a year.
This year, the Game Fair fell on the 26th of July (Mum’s birthday actually!)
Jake got to see the family in action and came away thoroughly impressed by how welcoming they were.
Sealed with a handshake and I quote; “THE best bear hug I have ever received”. The Stillman-Strawbridge connection was well and truly cemented.
Whilst I was celebrating Mum’s birthday here in Oz, Jake spent the day gallivanting around the English countryside with the Strawbridges.
The day included shopping with Dorothy & Arthur (Dorothy even scored herself a pair of Australian Icons- Blundstone boots!) Having a crack at archery, clay pigeon shooting, and to top it all off- a delectable roast chicken lunch.
Of course I was seething with jealousy that Jake got to spend the day with these awesome folk, but I was happy to spend the time with Mum on her big day.
In fact, I was pretty confident I was in the league for the ‘Favourite Child Olympics’ that afternoon.
Until Jake sent through a video message that evening. A personal ‘Happy Birthday’ message from the Strawbridges themselves.
Would you believe it was actually Dick’s idea too!
How could I top that?
Pinch me. No. Punch me?
So, a few weeks had passed, and I was gearing up for a big adventure of my own.
I had plans to go to Ireland, with my fiancé Aaron, in September, with a stopover in London to visit Jake along the way.
When Dick and Angel caught wind of our travel plans, they graciously extended an invitation to us to come visit them at the Chateau.
Well, that was an invite we certainly weren't about to turn down!
Not only would I finally meet the people we'd spent a year working with, but it also presented us with the perfect opportunity to shoot some spectacular content together in anticipation for our collection's launch.
And so, with our plans rearranged and a detour through the French countryside firmly on the itinerary, we were off!
Walking through the Chateau gates and immediately being greeted by Dick (and their newest addition, Mr Bongangles!) was completely surreal. It was a lovely 28ºC summer's day in France.
Here Jake and I were, standing firmly in the exact location that Mum and I had spent years admiring from the other side of the globe. The property was even more beautiful in person.
We were warmly welcomed by Angel, Arthur and Dorothy in the drawing room, where a scrumptious selection of French pastries awaited us. We also got to meet Ian, the Strawbridges long-time friend and photographer- who was going to be staying with us that evening.
After a good catch-up, we laid out our plan of action. We had one day to get through a rather ambitious list of photographs and content.
No pressure!
The day unfolded in a haze of giggles, smiles, plenty of snapshots and a few unexpected visitors. You can tell you’re in the country side when even the spiders want in on the photo action (poor Angel had a bit of a surprise there)!
We strolled all around the acreage, capturing the collection in its natural habitat, all while getting a fabulous personal tour as we walked along.
There were moments throughout the day I genuinely had to remind myself where I was. Processing the familiar grounds and faces I had seen on television for years prior.
Although the weather was fantastic- it wasn't the best forecast for showing off our capes. (We Stillman's are a bit of a bad luck charm- every time we attempt to shoot our gear in wet weather the sun swoops in!)
Dorothy and Arthur had the time of their lives stepping in as our designated 'rain crew'. A couple of bottles of sparkling water shaken up create quite the effect- poor Dick!
As our photoshoot began to wind down, the afternoon gave way to a lovely, relaxed evening. Jake and I got a glimpse into the Strawbridges' family routine as everyone pitched in to prepare dinner.
Angel treated us to a delicious homemade cocktail made from rum, sugarcane syrup and lime (which was mighty refreshing on a warm afternoon I tell you!)
Whilst we sipped our refreshments, Jake and Arthur lent a hand in the kitchen with Dick. Angel helped to set the table, and I was sent on a mission to the walled garden to collect fresh tomatoes for our salad.
As the night settled in, and the hot sun melted away, we dined on the most fabulous selection of butters, breads, salmon, salads, bakes and more.
A Strawbridge summer night's feast certainly topped our Aussie Christmas!
My accommodation for the night- waking up the next morning was difficult!
The conversation flowed as easily as the food, and as the evening progressed, we found ourselves back in the drawing room, sipping smooth whisky with Mr Strawbridge, chatting away until the late hour (and perhaps the whisky) finally sent us all off to the land of Nod.
Awake bright and early the following day, the fun continued as we smashed out the rest of our programme- not before a delicious breakfast of baguettes and cheese though. When in France!
We were sad to leave, but our flight was booked that afternoon. We bid adieu to our gracious hosts and returned back to London. Unfortunately, all great adventures must end.
I don't think pinching myself will do the trick anymore.
I might need a good punch or two.
A Full-Circle Moment
It's a funny old world, isn't it?
What began as a simple customer enquiry has grown into something far beyond what any of us could have anticipated.
Over a year of conversations, countless design revisions, a fair few international flights and a whole lot of hard work have brought us here.
But more than anything, this collaboration has reminded me of why we love doing what we do.
Working with Dick, Angel and their family has been an absolute privilege, and we're immensely proud of what we've created together.
To the Strawbridges, thank you for welcoming us into your home, trusting us with your ideas, and being such wonderful people to work alongside.
And to everyone who has followed our family's adventures over the years, we hope you love this collection as much as we've loved bringing it to life.
As for Mum?
Well, I suppose I'll have to admit she was right all along.
But don't expect me to make a habit of it.
With love,
Tia Stillman
On behalf of the Stillman family.
