"Behind the Brand" Q & A - ExquisitelyBritish.com
- Tell us a bit about yourself
I originate from Sheffield Yorkshire and always had a passion for fashion and clothing so at 16 years old, I left home and went to the London College of Fashion to study Clothing Design, Textiles and Manufacture .I spent a gap year working for Top Designer Paul Costelloe in Ireland before joining the Burton group asa trainee buyer .It was an incredible training ground working on boys wear ,then progressing to men’s shirts and Knitwear.At 24, I was one of the youngest buyers sourcing and creating fashion ranges.I travelled all over the world from Europe to Asia Including China, Macau, Taiwan, India, and Korea. By the time I got married and had 2 boys I was Head of Buying Homeat House of Fraser and then moved onto Selfridges as Head of Home.
I was approached by one of my suppliers to set up a brand as I was missing the creativity of putting a range together so in 2011 I launched Ragged Rose.
2. Where did the idea for Ragged Rose come from?
“The inspiration for Ragged Rose stems from my garden summer house in the heart of the gorgeous Kent countryside. Central to the brand is my passion for beautiful country garden flowers on a hot summer’s day, combined with a love of strong, bold, vibrant colour."
“Each of my hand painted style designs concentrates on one flower which is striking in appearance, for example a rose or anemone. This is then complemented by colour coordinating plains in luxury fabrics such as velvet, along with ragged stripes and small ditzy mini prints such as leaves or petals which unite the whole concept.”
3. Who is a Ragged Rose customer?
Its roots may well stem from the area where I live in the Kent countryside, but Ragged Rose is as far removed from a country chintzy cottage as you can get. By contrast, my lifestyle Gift and Home brand is glamorous, bold and edgy. A little more sexier than eg Cath Kidston.
I wanted it to appeal equally to the young up and coming celebrity/wannabe for a teenage bedroom, or a professional career girl who secretly hankers for colour after working in a black suit all day, as well as the school Mum craving for a piece of luscious velvet and a glamorous Gran who loves to potter in her garden.
4. What has been your biggest challenge?
I could not have forecast when I launched in 2011 how tough the economic climate would have an affect and its been a huge learning curve establishing the brand.
Also underestimating how important good systems are so vital from a fully functional website tostock inventory and invoice systems that work .
5. What has been your biggest highlight?
To be showcased in the Summerhouse at the NEC Spring fair last Spring .This is the biggest trade fair of the year and I was chuffed to bits to be allowed into the exclusive Summerhouse section .
I was alsosponsored by the British Overseas trade board to exhibit at a trade fair in Japan .
6. What or who are you inspired by?
I was actually inspired by packets of seeds with their stunning colour combinations.
Also Beautiful gardens in England with flowers rich in colour such as the Classic Pink Old fashioned Roses , Echinacea pinks , Purple Anemones, Red Poppies ,Cornflowers, Coreopsis golden yellows and many more .
7. Do you have any advice for other entrepreneurs?
Be prepared for sheer hard graft and slog working all hours God sends.
You need to be steely minded, focussed and above all else believe in yourself and your idea
.Be prepared to be knocked back either from disbelievers,banks and jealousy from all corners.
8. What does your "typical" work day look like?
I am a evening person to be honest and can work late at night yet the mornings for me are hard to get going .I am up at 7am to get my younger son to school who is mildly autistic ,Then I take the dogs out and start work at 10am and don’t stop or come up for air till 6pm when i start thinking about dinner and walking the dogs again .My partner comes home from work and then we start again at 8pm and work quite often till midnight.
10. Do you have any favourite British brands?
I adore Designers Guild who inspired me for colour and Ted Baker for the quirkiness.
11. What do you think is important in developing a successful British brand?
Developing a signature look that is unique with its own standalone handwriting that is instantly recognisable.
Researching the market and listening to feedback from the general public
12. How do you manage the work/life balance?
I don’t !!!
.I work 24/7 till I can get my brand recognised on the High St .My sanity are my dogs -2 golden doodles who MUST be taken for a good walk twice a day .
I also have a fantastic partner without him i could never have got this far and he supports me in my belief .
13. What are your plans for the future?
Short term to really establish my website
Medium Term for Ragged Rose to become synonymous with colour in your life for both home and gift .To also launch a womenswear /loungewear range along with more home products such as wallpaper and furniture.
To eventually open a chain of shops and expand to the Far East market and become an internationally recognised brand .