maybe you’ve seen the buzz over on twitter, but hip new members-only website llustre.com have just unveiled their pre-launch site and are offering 10,000 founder memberships, which provide early access to their upcoming launch week events plus £10 free credit to put towards your first purchase with the store.

i was invited to their launch event earlier this week, where co-founders tracy dorée and vivienne bearman explained the principles behind their new ecommerce venture. held at tracy dorée’s beautiful clerkenwell flat, it was wonderful to see some of their first month sale products artfully dislayed alongside tracy’s own eclectic mix of possessions, and really get a feel for the quality and vitality of the products they will be offering.

llustre aims to become a trusted guide to discovering new design by showcasing talented designers and presenting a curated daily mix of exclusive products, limited edition pieces and unmissable offers alongside engaging and insightful content about original and authentic design, making it a primary destination for inspiration, conversation and buying.

llustre sales launch in april and will feature top picks and limited edition commisions selected by their expert buying team and by guest curators from their “style llist” which includes, amongst others, marcus fairs – founder of dezeen – and priscilla carluccio. it’s also very exciting to report that in their first month of sales alone they will feature products from the likes of ella doran, iittala, plumen, normann copenhagen and stelton – that is some launch line-up!

[event entertainment came courtesy of mixologist alex kammerling of kamm & sons, who succinctly explained the art of cocktail making before letting us loose to concoct our own recipes; the results of our endeavours were (naturally) somewhat potent, but very much enjoyed!]