What do you make?
A collection of hand-loom and hand-embroidered scarves, throws, accessories and bags using natural fibres such as cotton, linen, silk and Merino wool that reflect my passion for sustainable and authentic craftsmanship.
How long have you been running your independent creative business?
5 years.
What inspired you to start your creative business?
After a sudden stroke in 2010, which left me with Aphasia, an impairment of language, I focused on my rehabilitation. Having worked with the charity Aphasia Re-Connect, I regained most of my speech and while recovering from my stroke, I rediscovered my passion for sewing, leading to a hand-made collection of cushions to raise money for the charity. Since this limited-edition collection, I have focused on honing my skills and have since launched various collections that truly reflect my creative life.
A collection of hand-loom and hand-embroidered scarves, throws, accessories and bags using natural fibres such as cotton, linen, silk and Merino wool that reflect my passion for sustainable and authentic craftsmanship.
How long have you been running your independent creative business?
5 years.
What inspired you to start your creative business?
After a sudden stroke in 2010, which left me with Aphasia, an impairment of language, I focused on my rehabilitation. Having worked with the charity Aphasia Re-Connect, I regained most of my speech and while recovering from my stroke, I rediscovered my passion for sewing, leading to a hand-made collection of cushions to raise money for the charity. Since this limited-edition collection, I have focused on honing my skills and have since launched various collections that truly reflect my creative life.
Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work? Tell us about your other work?
Full-time
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?
After studying fashion design at Kingston in the late 70s, I had a career as an international fashion designer for over 30 years, including at Laura Biagiotti in Rome, Conran in London and Esprit in San Francisco. I worked closely with iconic British brand Paul Smith for 20 years most recently as menswear director working closely with Paul and Derek in the design team. I was involved in the whole process from initial ideas and inspiration through to the finished product.
Full-time
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?
After studying fashion design at Kingston in the late 70s, I had a career as an international fashion designer for over 30 years, including at Laura Biagiotti in Rome, Conran in London and Esprit in San Francisco. I worked closely with iconic British brand Paul Smith for 20 years most recently as menswear director working closely with Paul and Derek in the design team. I was involved in the whole process from initial ideas and inspiration through to the finished product.
What is it you love most about the creative process?
It’s all about adding the uniqueness of the hand embroidery to my pieces. I enjoy creating the initial sketches for a piece and then gathering the fabrics and how I am going to introduce the embroidery to the piece. When I recently worked with artisans in Marrakesh, I loved giving them my designs and seeing them work their magic using hand-looms and stitching. It’s so much more rewarding than working on pieces that have been produced on a larger scale as each piece is so individual. The people were just so wonderful to collaborate with.
Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?
Ceramics - the possibilities of it and the idea of coil building and pinching. It’s so tactile.
It’s all about adding the uniqueness of the hand embroidery to my pieces. I enjoy creating the initial sketches for a piece and then gathering the fabrics and how I am going to introduce the embroidery to the piece. When I recently worked with artisans in Marrakesh, I loved giving them my designs and seeing them work their magic using hand-looms and stitching. It’s so much more rewarding than working on pieces that have been produced on a larger scale as each piece is so individual. The people were just so wonderful to collaborate with.
Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?
Ceramics - the possibilities of it and the idea of coil building and pinching. It’s so tactile.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
I am a creative person who loves everything that feeds creativity - a mood, a feeling, a thought about say some fabrics or a piece of art or colours I’m surrounded with. I went to a Sean Scully and Anna Albers exhibition recently which featured stripes which led me to an idea for how to use stripes in a throw. I spent time in Marrakesh and created mood boards from the incredible sights and wonderful people I encountered – from visiting the markets to being inspired by the colours of a pile of egg boxes on the street.
I am a creative person who loves everything that feeds creativity - a mood, a feeling, a thought about say some fabrics or a piece of art or colours I’m surrounded with. I went to a Sean Scully and Anna Albers exhibition recently which featured stripes which led me to an idea for how to use stripes in a throw. I spent time in Marrakesh and created mood boards from the incredible sights and wonderful people I encountered – from visiting the markets to being inspired by the colours of a pile of egg boxes on the street.
How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?
I love the collaboration it brings and spending time with friendly like-minded creative people.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
There are so many online design programmes now that we are at risk of the value of hand sketches at the start of a design process being a lost skill. I had 20 people in my team at Paul Smith and when I met with them, I would always tell them they should do their own drawings when they are going to create. The next stage can then be using a design programme. It’s very different to starting on an iPad for example. By hand is so important to start with.
Fashion is very much a collaborative design process. Refine your skills with the help of those around you and build good relationships. You need to be tough and driven especially as a woman in the design world.
I love the collaboration it brings and spending time with friendly like-minded creative people.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
There are so many online design programmes now that we are at risk of the value of hand sketches at the start of a design process being a lost skill. I had 20 people in my team at Paul Smith and when I met with them, I would always tell them they should do their own drawings when they are going to create. The next stage can then be using a design programme. It’s very different to starting on an iPad for example. By hand is so important to start with.
Fashion is very much a collaborative design process. Refine your skills with the help of those around you and build good relationships. You need to be tough and driven especially as a woman in the design world.
What is the biggest challenge of running a creative business?
Bringing the brand to life and showing its beauty when these days so much is online. Getting out and showcasing your products in person is so important
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time? hobbies, pastimes etc
Exhibitions, travelling and I have a real ambition to go up in a hot balloon. I also love mudlarking.
Bringing the brand to life and showing its beauty when these days so much is online. Getting out and showcasing your products in person is so important
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time? hobbies, pastimes etc
Exhibitions, travelling and I have a real ambition to go up in a hot balloon. I also love mudlarking.
RSS Feed
