Worn and Raised in Bristol
Anna, Anna Cake Couture
There are some pieces in a wardrobe that simply stick around. The ones you reach for without thinking, that work hard, wear well and, somewhere along the way, become part of everyday life.
At Maze, we’ve always believed in choosing clothes thoughtfully - pieces that feel right when you find them and continue to earn their place in your wardrobe long after you leave the shop. Worn and Raised in Bristol grew from that idea: a celebration of the clothes we live in, and the people who wear them.
For the series, we’re stepping outside Maze to meet some of the people who make our city what it is - visiting Bristol’s independent business owners and creatives in the places where they work and create, wearing pieces from Maze that are already part of their own story.
First up is Anna, founder of Anna Cake Couture.
Born and raised in Bristol, Anna’s roots stretch across the city. She has called Southville home with her family for the past 15 years, while Anna Cake Couture has had a home in Clifton for over 10 years. Behind the scenes, the cakes are created at the kitchen and HQ in Old Market.
From beautifully considered wedding and occasion cakes to macarons and sweet treats, Anna Cake Couture has become known for creations that are as distinctive to look at as they are to eat. Colour, detail and a strong visual identity run throughout Anna’s work - perhaps unsurprising given that, before cakes became her full-time focus, she trained in photography.
We caught up with Anna to talk about the clothes that have earned a permanent place in her wardrobe, creativity, life in Bristol and why being a beginner at something can sometimes be a very good thing.
Tell us about the Maze pieces you're wearing today. How long have you had them?
Today I'm wearing a white Bellerose tank. I only bought it this summer, but I already know it'll be in my wardrobe for years to come because it works with everything I own.
I've had the Girls of Dust trousers for about a year, and they've become my most-worn pair. I love that they're not jeans. It's so easy to default to denim, so when you find something that's even more wearable than your favourite pair of jeans, you know it's a good piece.
I'm also wearing my black Novesta trainers. I've had them for three years and they're still going strong.
Why have they stayed with you?
I'm much more drawn to shape than colour. If something has a really good cut, I'll wear it for years. I live in loose, boxy silhouettes and neutral colours, so anything that's comfortable and easy to throw on tends to earn its place. These trousers and tank are no exception.
What's the oldest thing in your wardrobe that you still wear?
I have an old COS coat. It has made it out of the closet every winter for the last eight years. It's dark brown and oversized - not quite ankle length, but long.
It's one of those pieces that, whenever I wear it, without fail someone asks where I got it from. If I'm still being asked that question, I figure I should still be wearing it!
What makes a piece of clothing worth keeping?
For me, it’s something that doesn’t need a lot of looking after. I’ve never been great with items that need attention before wearing. I have three young kids, so ironing something before wearing it isn't always an option.
Something with a relaxed fit that is ready to go when I need it will always be something I keep.
What's one object you use every day that you'd struggle to live without?
My camera. I trained in photography before cakes became my full-time job, and I still shoot all of our products and a lot of our social content. It's become such a big part of how I tell the story of the business.
Where in Bristol do you feel most at home?
Southville. It's been home for the last 15 years, and it's where we've raised our three children. They all go to school here, so there's a real sense of community. You always bump into someone you know.
North Street is full of brilliant independent cafés, shops and restaurants, and it perfectly sums up what I love most about Bristol.
If a friend had one day in Bristol, where would you send them?
Start the day with a coffee in Clifton Village - Mercy Mercy Mercy is my favourite - and have a mooch around the shops. Then head down to the harbourside and wander around Wapping Wharf.
I'd finish the day on North Street with a pint in one of the local pubs, followed by dinner at Souk Kitchen. You'll see some of Bristol's best independent businesses along the way, which is what makes the city so special.
What's something you've been enjoying recently?
I've been learning how to make sourdough. With so many incredible bakeries in Bristol, I've never really felt the need to bake my own, but I've loved learning something new that isn't cake-related.
It's been a nice reminder that it's fun to be a beginner sometimes, especially when there's a good loaf at the end of it.
What's something you're looking forward to?
We're about to launch a new range of cookies that we've spent months developing. It's been a proper labour of love, so I'm excited to finally see the people of Bristol enjoying them.
What does Bristol give you that shows up in your work or everyday life?
Bristol is fiercely independent and incredibly creative. All you have to do is look up at the colourful houses to see this. It almost gives you permission to be a bit bolder and more creative yourself.
I think that's reflected in my work. I tend to wear fairly neutral clothes, but I love colour everywhere else - whether it's cakes, bright nail varnish or an excellent pair of neon running socks.
I was born here and have lived here for most of my life, so Bristol has shaped far more of me than I probably realise.
From the clothes she wears to the cakes she makes, there's a sense that Anna knows what she likes - good shape, a pop of colour and things made to last. It's exactly the kind of story Worn and Raised in Bristol hopes to celebrate: the people, places and pieces that become part of everyday life. Anna felt like the perfect place to begin.