This has been one kick-ass year. The busiest and craziest I’ve ever been, in fact I don’t think I have ever worked quite so hard.
We launched our very own collection back in January – seems several lifetimes ago, but it was only January! It’s such a different ballgame to retail, and by far the scariest thing I’ve ever attempted. I won’t bore you with all the logistics and headaches this caused for the team but managing it all and juggling a thousand balls in the air has made us all pull up our boot straps and reconfigure majorly. By the way, if you want to know the seriously unglamorous truth about launching your own designer label in Paris, here it is!
I would also like to dub 2015 the Year of the Cactus – our fauxs pretty much exploded (not literally, that would be messy) for Spring/Summer 2015 and were everywhere. So thank you!
For Autumn/Winter we expanded our own label again, and launched our first faux botanical range, which I have been desperate to do for years and years now! It has just gone crazy. We had no idea that we would sell out of things so darn quickly; it was a shock to the system, some items didn’t even make it to the store. A good shock but one we weren’t prepared for so for SS16 we’ve scaled up big time. But you know what we are growing in confidence and the thing with having your own biz is you learn quickly and fast – plus you have the ability to change things relatively quickly, so we all feel flattered and delighted that the collection has had the response its had.
At the same time we opened our flagship faux florist – Abigail Ahern Flowers at Heal’s, which has been incredible. Being in the heart of West End is a whole other amazing ball game. I feel, as does Gem, very privileged to have been asked to partner up with this incredible brand.
We’ve criss crossed the world on the most bonkers travel schedule yet, stopping into India for one night, flying back to London and then heading out to the Far East 3 days later where we went all over. Next year is just as unrelenting. Perhaps more in fact as I’m scaling up again!
Oh and of course not forgetting that my third book COLOUR launched here in the UK as well as the US and all over the globe. It’s been terribly exciting, I’ve hosted a ton of design schools, lectured at some of the coolest events, gone on Radio 4 to preach to the masses. And managed somehow to find time to swim outdoors all year round!
The ramifications of course are tiredness and the odd grumpy day. I can hear the team murmur only the odd grumpy day? Sorry team! But it’s all been good. I feel we’ve changed gear and we’re heading into the fast track and I cannot wait to see what 2016 will bring. I have a few things up my sleeve which should they happen will be amazing.
The biggest shout out I have to give is to you guys. Your support and feedback you give me on the blog and through all our social media channels literally keeps me going. I feel so very flattered having such a supportive community of stylish people who are all so fabulous, and just as design-obsessed as I am. Thank you so much for all your incredible support!
I’m taking a blogging break over Christmas and New Year, but already looking forward to some great stuff we’ve got lined up for January. I hope you all have an amazing holiday season, and wish you much success, style and happiness in 2016.