There are few museum openings as highly anticipated as M+ in Hong Kong. The construction started almost 10 years ago and it’s been designed by Herzog & de Meuron, who famously converted Bankside Power Station into Tate Modern. At 65,000 square-metre, this has become another jewel in the architectural highlights of Hong Kong. The most prominent feature is undoubtedly the stupendous LED system display facing Victoria Harbour which will be displaying M+ content.
You might be wondering what we can expect to see in their 17,000 square-metre of exhibition space, which spans over 33 exhibition galleries. There will be in excess of 1,500 pieces of artwork from M+ collections. They will have six thematic exhibitions that will focus on Hong Kong and Chinese pieces from the 1960s and 1970s respectively to the present day to work that might be familiar to a British audience in the form of Anthony Gormley: Asian Field. He famously created Angel of the North and in this installation, the famous British sculptor has created tens of thousands of clay figurines along with over 300 villagers from a Guangdong village in just five days back in 2003. A masterpiece that highlights the vastness and populous nature of the country.
And no modern-day museum is complete without commissioned pieces which they’ll be displaying in their public spaces such as on their roof garden, their grand staircase, etc. They are two museum shops, a café, and a particularly innovative sounding Korean restaurant in the form of Mosu. Much like Tate Modern, they run a membership scheme to help support their work and continue developing the museum in the coming decades.
The whole project is part of the expansive West Kowloon Cultural District Development that will include a Hong Kong Palace Museum which opens in 2022 with items from the Forbidden City Museum in Beijing that are rarely allowed to leave the country. And the whole area is a must-visit destination for all cultural aficionados, making Hong Kong stand out as a cultural hub as well as the financial centre which is it renowned for.
Online registrations for tickets opened recently leading to an immediate crashing of the booking system which is always a sure-fire sign you have a commercial hit on your hands. The admission fee for non-residents is $120 for adults and $60 for children aged between 7 and 17, seniors aged 60 or over, full-time students, and guests with access requirements
The museum opens officially on the 12th of November.
In this inspiring guest post, Girl Boss Maxine Wells gives House of Coco the lowdown on how she started her business, Intimate Apparel Samples, became London’s resident lingerie lady.
“Turning creative visions into a reality makes my day job a dream! I am Maxine Wells proud Founder of Intimate Apparel Samples.
My business offers a unique design and development service supporting Intimate Apparel and Swimwear businesses.
I love my job, whether working with start-ups or established brands I enjoy the entire process of supporting my clients along their creative journey to produce high quality collections”
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start your business?
I am the youngest of four sisters and was very quiet & introspective as a child. This meant I had a vivid imagination & wild creativity. I enjoyed losing myself in a daydream about what I could create or who I could become. My daydreaming was a cause of concern at school, with teachers often noting the negative effects it had on my schoolwork, however it has since become one of my superpowers
My ability to form a crystal clear vision of my dream life & mission propels me in their direction, with complete belief that they will manifest externally regardless of my circumstances.
I started my business, because I wanted to add value to the world and I felt I could make a positive impact by creating jobs with a company culture that uplifts and supports those around us.
Our factory & coaching programs also nurture start-ups and independent brands which furthers my mission in supporting people living their dreams & life purpose.
What have been the biggest milestones so far?
There are so many, but moving into our Wembley Park studio in 2018, investing in high tech industrial machinery and hiring full time permanent staff, was a big turning point in the business.
It took a big mindset shift to make those commitments. I was no longer hiding behind ‘busy-ness’ and instead took scary financial risks which has since paid off!
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced on the way to becoming the lingerie lady of London?
Balancing motherhood and business has certainly had its difficult moments, although it is much easier now he’s eight years old.
I suffered the dreaded mum guilt to a severe level when he was younger. I felt there was something fundamentally wrong with me for still having the desire to continue growing my business and wanting to work.
I gave up my first studio when he was a baby and scaled back the business, so I could be a ‘proper mum’. I tried to convince myself I could be fulfilled without working towards my big ambitious dreams, but there came a breaking point where I could no longer lie to myself. I am who I am, and once I embraced that and started pursuing my goals again, both mum and son become much happier.
What advice do you have for women who would like to become GirlBosses like yourself?
Start small and minimise your risks. Business is a marathon not a sprint, so take small but continuous steps in the direction of your wildest dreams and do everything you can to enjoy the journey otherwise you risk quitting before seeing the results.
Bootstrap at the beginning until you understand your business and industry well, but depending on the business there may come a time when you need to take a calculated risk and invest in the business’ growth. Working harder doesn’t always equate to higher rewards but taking well-thought out risks can.
When the business is going through tough times, remind yourself that if business was easy everyone would be doing it. I have always found this helps me. Also, when things feel hard or messy, it doesn’t mean you are not cut out for this, it simply means you are challenging yourself and you should congratulate rather than be hard on yourself, because you are freaking awesome for pushing outside of your comfort zone.
Crabtree & Evelyn, purveyor of everyone’s favourite bath and body products, has just launched The Greece Collection, the second instalment of its Exploration Series. The series seeks to build cultural connections around the world.
The Greece Collection follows the successful launch of the Bali Collection in 2020 and was designed to evoke Greece’s rich culture, history and heritage. The wonderfully designed capsule was inspired by a sense of adventure comprises a curated range of lifestyle products and accessories.
From silk sea sponges, olive oils and ceramic herb planters, each product in the range was painstakingly hand-crafted by skilled Greek artisans and was inspired by the Greek way of living.
Crabtree & Evelyn’s own exploration begins at the island of Kefalonia, where the team met Stella who met local artisans, friends, jewellers and even olive farmers. The Greece Collection also features the work of Myrto, a ceramicist working in Athens, whose work supports local non-profit Pnoi Agapis ‘Breath of Love’ an organistaion that works with victims of life-limiting illnesses.
To give back to Myrto and local communities in Greece, Crabtree & Evelyn is donating 5% or profits across the collection and 100% of profits from the ceramic dish in ochre to Pnoi Agapis.
“Curiosity means we are open to learning something new,” says founder Jacqueline Mozanowski as she tells us about the unique, introspective ethos that informs OBLIVIOUS? “Curiosity helps us grow and develop and to not get stuck in a routine that we might not even be entirely happy with, but to be an active participant in your own life. We seek to inspire others to ask themselves more questions, to understand themselves better, but also to ask others more questions.
OBLIVIOUS? was founded by mother and daughter duo Romi and Jacquie, who have, through endless phone calls between London and Germany, launched their own conscious fashion brand amid pandemic times. In many ways, OBLIVIOUS? is a brand that is perfect for the times we find ourselves in. One that does away with fast-fashion trends and instead challenges its wearers to look inwards, ask questions and reignite their curiosity for the world.
“We believe that as a brand with purpose, our message sets us apart from other brands,” Jacqueline adds. Our aim is to actually inspire people to ask more questions and be curious and for those who see our pieces to consider what their answer to the question would be… Questions and their power run throughout the whole brand, from our products to our packaging, as this is what we aim to inspire people with.”
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your backgrounds – what inspired you to start OBLIVIOUS?
OBLIVIOUS? was founded by mother-daughter duo, Romi and Jacquie, from Stuttgart, Germany.
My mom Romi is originally from the Netherlands but has been living in Germany for a long time, working in interior design. Meanwhile, I’ve been living in the UK for several years, where I completed my BA and MsC.
My mom and I have always had a tight-knit relationship and this only grew stronger as I grew up. We also have very similar interests and tastes in fashion and design, which is one of the reasons we knew we’d successfully work together on OBLIVIOUS?
We are both naturally curious people and have always discussed potential ideas for businesses. Even when I was seven years old, we were already talking about ideas and how we could bring them to life. When I finished my studies and we were spending a lot of time together, we considered how powerful questions are in our lives and how they can impact us in a positive way.
Fashion has always been an interest of ours, but it also seemed to be a very potent platform to share the message of inspiring more curiosity and highlighting the positive power of questions. Fashion can also have an impact on our mood and help us express our identities.
We quickly decided that if we were to put anything new into the world, we would do it as responsibly and sustainably as possibly. With a brand ethos that prides itself on asking questions, we felt it was necessary to question the standard fashion cycle and try to do better. So, OBLIVIOUS? Is timely and reflective of what we want to put out into the world.
With mom still living in Germany and me in London, most of our work is done digitally or over the phone and we have divided many of the tasks and areas of work between each other. We do occasionally see each other in person, but this has been more difficult over the past year and a half.
I love the concept of the ‘positive power of questions’ how does this philosophy translate to your collections at OBLIVIOUS?
Questions and their power run throughout the whole brand, from our products to our packaging, as this is what we aim to inspire people with.
We try to incorporate the positive power of questions by using different questions on each of our products, either with a print or embroidery. Our range which currently consists of both men and women’s’ t-shirts, hoodies and long sleeves, everything is unisex.
All our products are premium basics designed by us, which often have a little twist so that they are more interesting than a standard hoodie. Each piece shines the light on the question, which is the focal point. We want our pieces to be comfortable but look fashionable enough to be worn from day to night.
OBLIVIOUS? has a strong sustainable ethos too – could you tell us more about the sustainability credentials of your range?
Sustainability has gained traction within the fashion industry in the past few years and has become more and more relevant and for good reason! Fashion is a very polluting industry and as a small brand, we wanted to add as little to that footprint as possible.
While some innovations aren’t available to small businesses just yet, there are many exciting projects out there that we can hopefully scale-up someday.
Our aim is to use as little plastic as possible. We avoid it as much as we can due to its polluting effect on our planet. We are also committed to using materials that don’t contain harmful toxins and are more water-efficient.
So far, we use 100% GOTS certified Organic Cotton for all our products – the GOTS certification not only ensures our fabric’s sustainable origins and production processes, but it also guarantees that workers involved in the supply chain are ethically treated. We also use water-based inks without toxic chemicals for our prints and our labels are printed on the inside of our products to minimise excess fabrics.
We produce everything in Europe. Our new collection being produced in Portugal – not only because Portugal is a great manufacturing country for sustainable fashion, but also because it is in relative proximity to where our company is based, requiring less transport, and ensuring that employees are treated ethically.
We weave our sustainability mission throughout our whole brand, which is why all our packaging, including hangtags, are made from recycled and or recyclable paper and less harmful inks.
What is the best and worst thing about working together as mother and daughter?
Founding a company and going through the whole process together has added another layer to our relationship. We’ve learned many lessons together and shared our successes and worries with each other.
Working together means that we are in even more contact than before, which is lovely, but sometimes we only talk business and not much else. Having such similar tastes helps and when we do have differing opinions, we can discuss them and find a solution quite easily, as we trust each other and have a strong relationship.
The best thing about working together is learning and growing together and strengthening our relationship in a different way, but the worst thing is that sometimes it can be all about work too.
In your view – what sets OBLIVIOUS? apart from other fashion brands today?
We believe that as a brand with purpose, our message sets us apart from other brands. Our aim is to actually inspire people to ask more questions and be curious and for those who see our pieces to consider what their answer to the question would be. I believe that our basic, minimalist but updated designs make us more interesting fashion-wise.
Where do the inspirations for the questions printed on your products come from?
The inspiration is literally everywhere. When we first started, we started document where we keep all the questions we come up with or have come across and we continuously add to it. When it comes to choosing which ones to use, it comes down to what we believe is relevant, what suits the moment and the collection, and what we deem to be great questions. Whether they act as a reminder or truly ask that you think about something thoroughly.
Lockdown has been tough on our collective mental health. In your opinion, how do curiosity and inquisitiveness help people deal with the anxieties of the world in 2021?
A lot has changed in the last year and a half and there are also many other things happening in the world right now that can accelerate feelings of anxiety and more.
Curiosity means we are open to learning something new and openness leads to a more positive mindset and hopefulness. Curiosity helps us grow and develop and to not get stuck in a routine that we might not even be entirely happy with, but to be an active participant in your own life. We seek to inspire others to ask themselves more questions, to understand themselves better, but also to ask others more questions. Research shows that our relationships can be improved by asking more questions and it’s such an easy tool to show interest and create a closer bond with someone.
What advice do you have for women who would like to become GirlBosses like yourselves?
It is always scary whenever you do something you’ve never done before. Starting a business can seem daunting, but if you have an idea you believe in, you’ll want to do the best you can – so trust yourself that you will. You are capable of great things, if you put the work in, believe in yourself and take opportunities. Don’t shy away from asking for advice from others.
“Everybody loves to make a wish,” that is the simple yet totally inspiring concept behind Flying Wish Paper, the brainchild of Artist/Mum/Entrepreneur Julia Lambie.
Julia launched her company – from focus group to finished product — in less than one year. Impressive, but not surprising given her unique concept, incredible business sense and can-do attitude about life, work and everything in between.
“Flying Wish Paper is a wishing activity kit to celebrate and inspire,” Julia says as she explores why her product has resonated so strongly with customers from all over the world. “The process of manifesting a wish is always a fulfilling and inspirational experience.”
Here at House of Coco, manifesting your own personal success is something we truly believe in as a brand. And so, in this interview, we sit down with Julia to discuss the mottos that inform her life, the biggest challenges and pleasures of being your own boss, and her personal journey to make her own wishes come true with Flying Wish Paper.
Tell us about the journey that led you to launching your brand Flying Wish Paper…
My journey began from jealousy. For 25 years, I worked in advertising helping other companies bring their products to life. I discovered that I wanted to do the same for myself.
In 2007 I organised a focus group to review three product ideas: a kitchen gadget, a guitar accessory, and a wishing kit. And the winner was…flying wishes!
With my background in project management and print production, I was able to develop this new concept in only six months. Flying Wish Paper debuted at The National Stationery Show in NYC with just a few designs and a handful of prototypes. It got attention and was on store shelves in less than one year.
I had two bits of early, unbelievable luck. First was being featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Second was a CNN marketing and business show. The national coverage gave Flying Wish Paper exposure, bragging rights and credibility with buyers.
And so began the sweet story of my husband, two daughters and me in our living room, turning on a good movie and assembling wishing kits for shipment. After the first year, I was happy to hire a warehouse.
Describe your product line and how long you’ve been in business.
Flying Wish Paper is a wishing activity kit full of inspiration and power. Write your wish on the special paper, light it and watch as your wish flies to the heavens. “Write it. Light it. Watch it fly!” Kits are available in two sizes and 50 designs.
At the beginning 13 years ago, the concept was new to the marketplace. That was a big hurdle to overcome, but the activity is now a common and popular concept. Wish Paper is a feel-good product, and we all need that positive energy now more than ever.
This activity is inspired by an old tradition which was started by a company in Italy, Lazzaroni (lazzaroni.it). They sell an Amaretti cookie that is wrapped in a special paper. One eats the cookie, then shapes the wrapper into a tube, lights it on fire and makes a wish as it flies up into the air. I developed my own paper and packaged it with a few accessories to make a kit (alas, no cookie).
It’s a fun, whimsical brand. Who’s your ideal customer?
Everybody loves to make a wish! Sometimes it’s just for fun, like the bride making witty (or dirty) wishes at her bachelorette party. Birthdays are big and holidays are huge. Others like making wishes on Christmas morning, or at the table with family and friends. Sometimes it’s a sombre experience, like remembering a loved one. Often, it’s just a private, personal message sent into the universe.
What’s the process before adding a new kit to your collection?
Because my product is ‘paper’ and 100% made in the USA, I can react quickly to trends. I look through so many magazines, walk through a lot of gift stores and talk to buyers, travel, and scroll through Instagram to see what styles or themes are popular. My client base is diverse, so my product line includes a large variety of unique designs to choose from.
How do you want people to feel after using your kits? Empowered, inspired, entertained, energised, hopeful, lucky, and connected to the universe.
If you were to describe your style in three words, what would they be?
Playful, positive, and pretty.
What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to become an artist?
Do it but have a business plan to back it up. Being a poor artist doesn’t have the same ‘je ne sais quoi’ as during the renaissance period. Find a community or a mentor because all artists need this kind of business and personal support.
How would you describe your personal style?
Aesthetically, I operate in the ‘classic’ zone. My home and office are mid-century modern. I can look at a well-organised shelf all day long and be perfectly happy. I can’t get enough tone-on-tone, black and white, simple lines, or shades of blue. Add a ruffle (button-up blouse, toss pillow or potato chip – any ruffle will do) and I am good to go.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
I work from home, so focus is my superpower, but frenzy is right on its heels.
As the owner and only employee, my hands are on EVERYTHING. I have pages and pages of things to do. I’m a morning person so I jump right in. My day starts with a call to my warehouse to review assembly and orders for the day, then I whip out my list and do my job.
Working alone, it’s easy to lose track of the hours I sit on this chair. (My record is five straight hours by the way.) I’m careful to create distractions: eating lunch with my husband, working out, or FaceTime with a friend.
I easily work a full forty every week but it’s a mix of 12 hours one day, 2 hours the next. My approach is to power through and then enjoy large chunks of time off. Oh, and very important – I never work weekends.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
I consider social media ‘an important hobby’ compared to my old-school style of picking up the phone and just talking to someone. Flying Wish Paper is such a personal product, and it’s important to maintain personal relationships. The type of person who buys my product relishes this kind of interaction…and social media doesn’t provide that.
Individual customers create a lot of content around ‘making wishes’ and I repost many images and videos. There’s undeniable value in social media and I love to create content. It’s fun, but it’s secondary. Foremost to the success of a brand is a great product, a unique message and strong customer service to support it.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
My husband and I are going back to Italy as soon as we can. We’re not getting any younger, and those cobblestones get harder to navigate with every passing day.
There are many things I want to do again: walk through The Hall of Prisoners at the Uffizi, drink a limoncello martini in Sorrento, buy a new pair of red leather loafers in Rome. And so many things to do for the first time – eat pizza in Naples, learn how to fry zucchini blossoms in Siena.
Remember, the original inspiration for Flying Wish Paper comes from Italy – so I feel very connected to this place.
After that, my first trip to Japan – which has a strong culture attached to paper fortunes, known as Omikuji.
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
I have two, and they will get you through anything.
“Don’t Dream It, Be It.” This goes way back to my teen years in the late ‘70s, a favourite lyric from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Like most teens I was insecure and unworldly back then. These words continue to push me outside my comfort zone.
My other motto is “It Never Hurts to Ask” – Many times along the way, you’re going to need help. If you are brave enough to put your needs or desires in front of someone (or out into the universe, for that matter) often the answer will be…YES.
What’s next for you and the brand?
I’m keeping it simple. I own this category, so I just want to embrace design trends and push market growth.
I’m going to seek out brands to partner with for custom designed kits. I’ve created wishing kits for Urban Outfitters, Anthropology, Sonia Rykiel Design House, Make A Wish UK, and Paper Source. I’m coming for you, Desigual! (Remember, it never hurts to ask.)
What does self-care mean to you?
I believe self-care begins with mental health, and whatever you need to do to keep your head straight. The rest is cake. No literally, cake! Everything in moderation works well for me.
Just like you, we want our clothes to make us feel as good as how we look. This is why we’re all about shining the light on the sustainable fashion brands that are changing the fashion scene, one consciously-made garment at a time.
Our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies has rounded a few of our top eco-friendly shopping picks so you can maximise your trans-seasonal style and minimise your carbon footprint too.
British knitwear brand Lyle & Scott, who hold a Royal Warrant for knitwear, has done an incredible job of modernising its range for the new age. Founded in Hawick Scotland 150 years ago, this heritage brand has a pretty cool womenswear line, made up of easy-to-wear, casual and contemporary leisurewear is made with 100% organic cotton.
Not only has Lyle & Scott made its way to our sustainable fashion radar, but it has also surely carved out a permanent spot in our pre-fall wardrobes too. Oh — and did we mention that Lyle & Scott has several cool collabs to watch out for too?
Sustainable luxury footwear brand INUIKKI offers a range of contemporary footwear that was designed in Switzerland and made in Europe. All of INUIKKI’s products are made with organic materials and balance form and function with timeless style. Whether you are comfy in a pair of classic sneakers or well-protected in a pair of all-terrain boots – you know that your Inuikki footwear is made to last.
Sustainable French brand Gaâla is a favourite of our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies. This brand has just released a vintage-inspired capsule collection with model/photographer/artist Shirinita Altsohn which exudes that effortless French girl style and takes inspiration from some of the screen sirens of the Golden Age of Cinema. We like the Corinne Dress (inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Doris Day), the Lauren Skirt, (inspired by Lauren Bacall) and the Shirin dress, inspired by the glamorous gowns of the 1930s and 1940s.
Isabel Manns is all about bright, colourful and sustainable seasonless clothing. This contemporary womenswear brand has its home in Marylebone and is underpinned by designer Isabel’s own personal commitment to building a 100% circular fashion label. Most of the prints in Isabel Mann’s beautiful silk creations were painted by Isabel herself, taking inspiration from her parent’s garden and the natural world. We love the beautiful silk dresses, tops, and skirts – made in plenty of different fabrics that can be customised to suit your personal tastes too.
Emotional World Vintage gives a sustainable twist to your luxury handbag game. Emotional World creates one-of-a-kind luxury handbags made with natural and original Boro patchwork, hand-crafted with traditional ‘Sashiko’ stitching methods. Circular, sustainable and with a wonderfully raw aesthetic, no two bags are alike at Emotional World, ensuring a luxury purchase that even the world’s most prestigious fashion houses can’t provide
Performance bag Ogio makes some of the world’s most ingeniously-designed, well-made and technologically advanced adventure backpacks that is perfect for hiking novices, backpacking enthusiasts, frequent travellers and adventure fanatics alike.
Ogio, official supplier to the Formula 1, prides itself in making personal storage products that blend high-octane performance with style. Our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies tried out the Ogio Alpha 20L Backpack, which comes in a selection of bright and vivid colours.
This mid-sized backpack is coined as the ultimate everyday companion and is ideal whether you’re packing for a weekend camping trip or embarking on a more intense climbing expedition.
At 20 litres, the bag has just the right amount of room to fit all the essentials. It has rapid access exterior pockets that can be used to stash keys, phones, wallets safely and easily. The backpack has two rows of MOD Webbing, which complement Ogio’s MOD Hard Case or Soft pouches, so you can easily customise your Ogio storage option to suit your needs.
As a testament to its commitment to developing products that last, this backpack was constructed with premium 600D Recycled polyester fabric and a ballistic bottom that meet high-level fabric performance and durability specifications.
It also features adjustable shoulder straps with an additional sternum strap to assist in weight distribution. The bags have also been equipped with Aquatech waterproof construction and Exo Shield protective exteriors to keep your belongings safe no matter what elements you are braving.
You can also use this versatile backpack for short weekend trips away, as it comes with a luggage pass through and dedicated 15’ laptop pocket with padded tablet sleeve, equipped with a Reactive Suspension system that ensures all your gadgets are protected from impact.
Ogio is so confident in the quality of its products that all backpacks come with its very own lifetime warranty. The brand also has a 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed policy or they will send you your money back. No wonder Ogio has been coined as the ultimate adventure backpack – it’s totally life proof.
What goes into a name? For Syl( Yanling Sha) the story behind the name of her fashion brand ‘Rue Agthonis’ started with a revolutionary moment in her life. What started as an unfortunate incident, wherein Syl lost her first collection in Paris, became the inspiration for her to kickstart her fashion dreams. That very street ‘Rue Agathonis’ became the first chapter of the Rue Agthonis brand – a testament to Syl’s distinctive vision and sheer commitment to view even the most tragic moments as opportunities for creation.
“The story behind my brand name comes from a personal and revolutionary moment in my life,” she says. “Although it was terrible at the time, I viewed it as a new opportunity for me to start my own brand, and I wanted to take something from the experience for the rebirth of my collections.”
While only a three-year-old brand, Rue Agthonis has already made significant waves in the fashion industry. Rue Agthonis debuted its classical oil-painting-inspired fall line at Shanghai Fashion Week, with an intimate showing planned on the official London Fashion Week schedule this September. Despite the challenges of the last year, Syl is determined to inspire women to make every moment special with fashion. To her, dressing up is the equivalent of ‘loving yourself well,’ and we certainly agree.
In this interview, our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies sits down with Syl and talks about the fateful moment that inspired her fashion brand, the ethereal inspirations for her latest collection and fashion’s power to transform a woman and make every moment feel precious.
Rue Agthonis is such a unique name – can you tell us more about the inspiration behind it?
There is a cunning meaning behind the creation of the name ‘Rue Agthonis,’ which stems from a street in the South of France. The story behind my brand name comes from a personal and revolutionary moment in my life.
I was in France in the train station on Rue Agathonis, where I lost my suitcase which had my first collection in it. Although it was terrible at the time, I viewed it as a new opportunity for me to start my own brand, and I wanted to take something from the experience for the rebirth of my collections. I found the name Rue Agathonis so enticing whereas in French, ‘rue’ means ‘street’ and I removed the second ‘a’ from the road Agathonis which turned into ‘Agthonis.’ This was the beginning of my fashion dream and I wanted to include this part of my experience in the creation of my brand.
Rue Agthonis is only a three-year-old brand, but you have already been asked to participate in some of the fashion world’s most prestigious shows. What has been the biggest milestone?
Thank you for the kind words! Although we try not to set ourselves milestones — as we don’t want to limit our creativity or potential as a young brand — we’re very proud of the work we’ve done this year. On the 10th of April, we debuted our AW21 Collection at Shanghai Fashion Week and worked hard to produce an incredible collection and show. From the products, styling, and the entire show’s production, we spent lots of time and effort to create a cohesive show. I feel the proudest and satisfied about this achievement, especially with the warm reception it received on social media.
If you could describe the Rue Agthonis aesthetic in three words, what would they be?
Love, quality, and positive beauty
Tell us more about your latest collection – what are the inspirations behind it and what is your favourite piece?
The inspiration for the Rue Agthonis 2021 line was born from classical oil paintings. We integrated oil painting techniques with clothing production, and injected gorgeous contrasting colours, changing winding lines, and complex romantic decorative elements into the collection.
Costume design and classical oil painting are both artistic forms of expression, and when paired together they construct a unique aesthetic space full of colour, light and shade, lines, and texture. We hope that through the incitement of sensations, the aesthetics of clothing will be closer to the pursuit of sensory joy in the world: a desire for sweetness, the pursuit of happiness, whilst rejecting frugality.
The fringed ankle-length coat is my favourite garment from this season. This style uses sophisticated tweed fabrics, where traditional tweed is woven with a fringed texture, like hand-woven raffia, finished with layers of fringed embellishments.
The large tassels caress the ankles, creating movement and soft rustles with each step, transforming every woman who wears it into the centre of attention at all walks of life.
During the last year, everyone swapped high-heels for sweatpants because of COVID. Do you think now is the right time to reintroduce glamour into our wardrobes?
I believe that they’re comparable. In such a special time, the emotions and encounters between people have become more precious and unique. Taking this into consideration, we want to remind women that every moment is precious, whether it be a family gathering or cocktail evening, and every moment can be embellished by dressing up. It’s never a bad thing to make yourself feel special, when you please yourself, you deliver the message of “love yourself well.”
What’s next for you? Any new exciting projects in the pipeline?
In the second half of this year, we plan to host a small event in the official schedule of London Fashion Week. At the same time, we will continue to run our fashion show at Shanghai Fashion Week. We look forward to seeing the two projects in parallel.
What advice do you have for women who would like to become GirlBosses like yourselves?
In addition to professionalism at work, you can also fun into your work environment when setting work goals, so that in moments of success you can relax and revel in the process of completing your goals.
“Since the beginning I’ve always strived to achieve the impossible,” says Yoanny Garcia when looking back on the early days of launching her eponymous bag brand.
Yoanny Garcia, the brand, is classic, elegant and unique — much like its founder, who has made it her mission to showcase the bold style and vibrant hues of the Dominican Republic on the global fashion stage.
“It is my pride as a Dominican and my mission to represent my country in the fashion world on the global stage,” Yoanny says. “It’s always been integral for me to empower the “Made in D.R” label. It is my vision to develop high-quality handmade products in partnership with local artisans, who have worked in my studio since my day one.
In conversation with Yoanny Garcia, we talk about the inspirations behind her colourful bags, the importance of supporting of local artisans and how her ‘works of art’ can help women feel their most authentic selves wherever they go.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. What inspired you to start your own accessories brand?
I studied Business Administration in the Dominican Republic and then years later I did my master’s degree in International Management in Madrid. Ever since I was a little girl, fashion has always been my biggest passion. I made the decision to start my very own fashion brand when I lived in Madrid. All my friends told me that they admired my style and the bags that I made for myself and that I should start selling them, and so that’s what I did. In 2014 I officially launched my dream project, my Yoanny Garcia brand. My first collection was ‘Let’s Play’ and they were only clutches. It was undoubtedly one of the proudest moments of my life.
If you could describe the Yoanny Garcia aesthetic in three words, what would they be and why?
Classic, elegant and unique.
In what ways does your Dominican culture and heritage influence your designs?
The influence goes beyond my culture. It is my pride as a Dominican and my mission to represent my country in the fashion world on the global stage. It’s always been integral for me to empower the “Made in D.R” label. It is my vision to develop high-quality handmade products in partnership with local artisans, who have worked in my studio since my day one.
For me it goes both ways, I have helped the Dominican artisan community and they have helped make my brand come to life by producing truly amazing products. My country has strong colours, culture, and vibrations that the world needs to see it!
Transparency and sustainability are core to your ethics as a brand. How do you as a brand owner/designer balance profit and purpose?
Yoanny Garcia is a regulated brand, and we strictly follow Dominican regulations by showing everything that happens behind the scenes in the most transparent way.
On the sustainability side, I’m very proud to say that all my pieces are 90% handmade (sometimes even higher) and we are committed to preserving the environment that brings us such amazing raw materials.
Here at Yoanny Garcia, we thrive everyday learning about new materials and techniques so the process of making a bag becomes more and more environmentally-friendly. One of our latest innovations is incorporating natural cork in our bags, and it really looks amazing! We also make donations to different foundations and give back once to our tight-knit Dominican community.
Last year, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic chaos, we started selling dominoes made with our bag acrylic and all the profit went to Save the Children Foundation directly helping pregnant women and mothers affected by the crisis.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome as an entrepreneur so far?
The biggest challenge I’ve overcome is becoming an entrepreneur. It’s a lot of work and sacrifice and it’s been especially hard with the COVID-19 crisis. Because of the pandemic, everything went south with the fashion industry, sales slowed down, and it became very difficult to maintain my business and protect my partners.
As a businesswoman, I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to stay afloat during this difficult period. It’s been a long and challenging road and it still is to this day. I know it will keep being that way forever, but this business is where I found true happiness, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Tell us about your latest collection. What are the inspirations behind it, and do you have a favourite piece?
My two latest collections are called ‘Regina’ and ‘Abby’ with new modifications and colourways. The launch of ‘Colette’ was also a total hit! I get inspired by everything, a texture, a colour, or a feeling. It could be something I see or a combination of everything and for me that’s the beauty of art.
Seeing the final product with my team after countless trials is the best feeling in the world. For me, it’s impossible to choose a favourite piece, they are like my daughters! But I can say that the YG Ladies favourites are Teresa, Camellia, Abby, and Colette these days. I can’t wait for the launch of our next collection! There are many exciting things coming for the brand.
In your opinion, what sets Yoanny Garcia from other fashion brands in the market today?
Since the beginning I’ve always strived to achieve the impossible. I like to create different and unique pieces that I know my YG Ladies will love. I envision that when they enter any room, they will turn heads just so people can see the piece of art they are wearing. My pieces perfectly complementing their whole outfit and presence. For me, I don’t sell just a fashion piece, I create and sell feelings, exclusivity, and the magic of being your true, authentic self wherever you go, with a piece that represents you and your personality.
What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?
Start and don’t ever stop. If it is your dream, go for it because if you don’t do it, no one will do it for you. Be your own boss and stand up for yourself and for what you believe in. Organise yourself and don’t get distracted or discouraged by others. You got this babe.
According to Harvey Broadbent, Founder & CEO of sustainable and truly inspirational fashion brand Positive Outlook Clothing, “you should always start with purpose and let your product follow.”
From a very young age, Harvey started with purpose, living a life surrounded by positive energy and encouragement which he now shares with others through Positive Outlook Clothing.
Purpose is everything for Harvey, and this rings true for his company which foregoes fast-fashion trends and instead inspires people to look inward, giving them the right clothes to live their best, most confident lives. Positive Outlook Clothing has people at heart and planet in mind and offers stylish, evergreen pieces that can go from day to night and are made to last.
“We create quality-crafted clothing that focuses on the wearer and helps them to shine and feel their best,” Harvey says. “Clothing that helps you feel and be the best version of yourself every day.”
“Each and every time a customer sees or wears an item of our clothing, it gives a small boost, a smile, a push in the right direction and acts as a symbol of like-minded, forward-thinking, positive people.”
It makes sense then, that for Harvey, profits aren’t the be all and end all for his company. Instead, he seeks something much more valuable – and that is to share his truly inspiring positive mindset with the world, one sustainably made garment at a time.
We sit down with Harvey to talk about his early forays into design, balancing profit and purpose and his goal to build a family of positive-minded people looking to change the world.
“Our motto is ‘people at heart, planet in mind’ and this rings true all the way through our company foundations… Success for me is measured by the impact you have, the love in your heart and the legacy you leave behind… not the numbers on your bank balance!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start Positive Outlook Clothing?
My name is Harvey Broadbent and I guess you could say I was born and raised in the midlands surrounded by creativity and positivity. With the family on my mum’s side all in motorsport engineering, and the family on my dad’s side was in fabrication, upholstery, and carpentry I was destined for a world in design.
My childhood was full of positive reassurance and the general push to ‘try anything’. Our family was not afraid of failure and instead praised it, as long as you gave it your all and regardless, learned from the outcome. Although my passion began in fine arts, I had the standard concerns of “you won’t make any money,” stressed to me by my teachers and friends alike.
To keep the creativity alive, I chose to explore the world of product design with a bachelor’s degree at Bournemouth University in 2008. This was where I gained an insight into each and every stage involved in taking a product from concept to life and my sense for sustainable design was born. Little did I know that this life of positive encouragement and desire to create would drive me to build a company with people at heart and planet in mind.
We love the mantra of “A positive outlook garment is a positive mindset.” From design to production and marketing – how does this ethos inspire your business?
We create quality-crafted clothing that focuses on the wearer and helps them to shine and feel their best. We don’t cater to high street fashion and exotic trends; we look a little further inward into one’s mindset and inner confidence. Clothing that helps you feel and be the best version of yourself every day.
Each chance encounter and shared moment creates a unique opportunity for a transference of positive energy, wisdom, and culture. Each time a customer sees or wears an item of our clothing, it gives a small boost, a smile, a push in the right direction and acts as a symbol of like-minded, forward-thinking, positive people. These are the foundations we stand upon in every aspect of our business and will continue to as we look to grow as a Positive Outlook family.
In your opinion, what sets Positive Outlook Clothing apart from other fashion brands in the market today?
Sustainability, transparency, and accessibility. We have been working in the world of sustainability for over eight years. We’ve made mistakes, tackled controversy, and sailed through the smoke and mirrors that exist within the fashion industry and business world.
We take nothing at face value and instead strive to see first-hand the people and processes involved at every stage of production. For example, over the past 4 years, we have worked with one family-run manufacturer for all our clothing, and we couldn’t be happier about it. We know every member of staff working there at every process, we know where our fibres come from and the energy it takes to turn those natural fibres into fabrics for you to wear and feel fantastic in. This approach allows us to share this information confidently and honestly with our customers.
With fashion being one of the biggest pollutants, sustainability in the fashion industry is more important than ever. In what ways does Positive Outlook Clothing promote conscious consumerism?
Coming from a product design background, for me sustainable design is not a gimmick, marketing ploy or USP, it’s just ‘the way it should be’ and a sign of good wholesome design. This follows through to the type and styling of the clothing we produce – quality everyday essentials.
As a company, we promote a minimal lifestyle, producing quality made items that fit and feel amazing, styled to look as good at the bar with friends or out on your morning run. We aren’t focused on launching elaborate ranges or hitting those high-street trends. A Positive Outlook item is an everyday item that will last. Our botanical fabrics and fibres work with your body, aiding movement, allowing your skin to breathe while being durable and stylish to suit any
surrounding.
As a business owner with such strong ethical foundations, how do you balance profit and purpose?
Our motto is ‘people at heart, planet in mind’ and this rings true all the way through our company foundations. I have no dreams of incredible riches but rather to succeed as a company, to reach our goals and build a family of like-minded ambitious people that are living the life they want to live and positively impacting as many people as they can while doing it. Success for me is measured by the impact you have, the love in your heart and the legacy you leave behind… not the numbers on your bank balance!
What’s next for you? Any new exciting projects in the pipeline?
Where do I start! I’d say out of everything we have going on now, I am most excited about the podcast concept we are currently creating as a company. The podcast we’re launching will ultimately be an extension of our heart, championing various youth organisations across the country, starting local to us.
We will be sharing the amazing work they do, breaking down the challenges/stereotypes they and their members face and chatting 1-2-1 with the inspiring young people these organisations work with.
We have 6-7 projects lined up so far at different stages and already each conversation we’ve had has been eye-opening and powerful to say the least! Keep your ears peeled and eyes open for this one…
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own fashion brand?
