December Profile: Odette Insoll
Hello, I am Odette, founder and creator of Nouvelle Habit. I handcraft beautiful wraparound skirts which are called habits. I’ve taken the term ‘habit’ from old English simply meaning a piece of clothing (often associated with riding) and paired it with Nouvelle meaning new as they are a modern take on and old rural classic.
Unlike traditional coats or skirts, a Habit protects without restriction, giving you the freedom to move while shielding you from the elements. It’s structured yet flexible design ensures ease of movement, eliminating bulk without sacrificing warmth or durability. Whether in the saddle or exploring the countryside, a Habit is a true investment in practical, purposeful country wear.
I have been lucky enough to grow up with horses and to work and ride in many different disciplines. I started riding at the age of 4 and learnt alongside my elder brother and mum at a riding centre in Cornwall. It was here that my passion for riding grew. At the age of 11, my grandmother bought me my first horse, Oliver, and from that day onwards I always had horses and worked outdoors.
During my years riding, teaching and working outdoors, I have battled against the elements like every outdoor enthusiast. I suffered with chilblains on my thighs for years and never found a solution to combat them. So I decided to try and create one myself.
In 2014, I was involved in a horse accident and was critically injured. It was in this period I decided to retrain and study traditional upholstery and this was where my love for sewing and fabrics developed.
In the autumn of 2017 Nouvelle Habit was born and I began learning and creating the first prototypes. Initially, I designed for myself, testing my creations in the saddle for over a year. But when the pandemic hit I unfortunately lost my job, so I took a leap of faith and in 2020 I launched Nouvelle Habit, which consisted of just the Original Moorland waxed cotton riding habit.
During that first year I sadly lost both my horses and for the first time since I was a child I was without a horse. As you can imagine, I was lost. So I decided to get a Springer Spaniel puppy and along came Hector. Hector was intended to be a working dog and I had grand plans of getting into ladies shooting and working dog clubs, however we soon found out Hector was blind. This, however, didn’t stop us from getting outdoors and enjoying the english countryside.
I soon realised that I had a strong dislike of waterproof trousers and that I needed an alternative, so I set to designing the waxed cotton Walking Habit which was launched in 2022, now called ‘The Compass’.
Since then I have developed a range of habits built for women who live and work in the countryside, with my newest addition being ’The Andrea’, a 100% British tweed wrap around habit, perfect for apres-shoot.
I run my business from my home, cutting every pattern by hand and individually sewing each skirt. I use traditional bone buttons and 100% real leather buckles that are designed and handmade by myself. Each skirt has its own unique character; you can even have one made bespoke just for you.
My mission is to help people feel confident, comfortable, and connected to the countryside through clothing that lasts a lifetime.
Nouvelle Habit is about more than clothing; it’s about honouring tradition while embracing modern life. I create versatile, garments designed for the countryside, combining heritage inspired style with the durability and functionality needed for outdoor living.
Nouvelle Habit is about solving everyday challenges while celebrating the elegance and resilience of countryside living - values I’m proud to share through every piece I create.