BRAND IN FOCUS // TIBA + MARL x SCAMP & DUDE

TIBA + MARL x SCAMP & DUDE

It’s the launch, I’ve personally, been waiting for… Tiba + Marl x Scamp & Dude, is here! (Well, almost!). Today the Pre-Order has launched on both TibaandMarl.com and also on ScampandDude.com. All pre-orders will then be sent out on 20th August onwards. I also have it on good authority, that once these orders have gone, thats it! So get your pre-order in, before its too late!

Now the formalities are done with, let me introduce you to the coolest four-piece you’ve seen, since One Direction went on without Zayn.

 

THE MINI ELWOOD

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THE MINI ELWOOD – £40.00 (each)

COMES IN BLACK OR MINT PRINT

The much loved Tiba + Marl MINI ELWOOD backpack gets given a super-hero transformation in Scamp & Dude’s iconic signature leopard and lightning bolt print. Mini fashionistas will love this best selling kids backpack, featuring a zipped front pocket, adjustable straps, and top carry grab handle. Each backpack showcases a patch with Scamp & Dude’s trademark slogan ‘A Superhero Has My Back’ and is adorned with ‘Superpower Button’ neon rubber lightening bolt zip pullers – prepare for playground envy!

    • Water resistant & wipe clean inside & out
    • Zip front pocket
    • Adjustable padded straps
    • Rubber lightening bolt zips
    • ‘A Superhero Has My Back’ woven patch on back of bag
    • Padded back
    • Top grab handle

Composition
100% Nylon with Faux leather trim

Dimensions
H: 29cm W: 22cm D: 12cm

Weight
260g

THE ARLO SNACK PACK

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THE ARLO SNACK PACK – £25.00 (EACH)

COMES IN MINT OR BLACK PRINT

Designed exclusively in collaboration with much-loved kids brand Scamp & Dude, the super-handy ARLO snack-pack by Tiba+Marl is the perfect everyday choice for you or your little dudes. Looking fierce in Scamp & Dude’s signature leopard and lightning bolt print, and featuring a patch with Scamp & Dude’s trademark slogan ‘A Superhero Has My Back’ it is also adorned with ‘Superpower Button’ bespoke neon rubber lightening bolt zip pullers – could this be the coolest cool pack ever?? Perfect from weaning right through to school – it is fully insulated and features internal slip pocket and an elasticated strap to keep bottle/cup upright. It also comes with removable name tag and an easy grab carry handle that can be clipped onto the buggy or a school bag.

    • Fully Insulated
    • Rubber lightening bolt zips
    • ‘A Superhero Has My Back’ woven patch on back of bag
    • Wipe clean inside & out
    • Elasticated bottle holder
    • Internal slip pocket
    • Name tag
    • Buggy clip

Composition
Nylon & plastic with Faux leather trim

Dimensions
H: 16cm W: 20.5cm D: 14cm

 

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I do have a tendency to go on about how much I love Tiba+Marl – but I do just bloody love them. We got our T+M bags when we moved to Berlin and they still look brand new (see my old post, here). We didn’t even use our Elwood as a changing bag, Eli was too old. We’ve always used it as a family back pack – or taken it to the gym/park, its also perfect for carrying a laptop! Eli is never without his Mini Elwood. So this is proof that Tiba+Marl produce quality products that have uses beyond ‘age’. For instance, I LOVE the Arlo Snack Pack – I’d use this for Eli as his lunch bag, but also as my own lunch bag… maybe even great for toiletries and cosmetics too!

So there you have it, the Pre-Order is live, so get ’em while you can! My only issue… which colour-way to go for?! Which do you like best?

Peace & love
C
✖✖✖

NB: This post is absolutely not affiliated with or sponsored by Tiba+Marl or Scamp & Dude. They’re just bloody amazing brands whom I adore and want to shout about xxx

 


MORE ABOUT // 

Tiba + Marl

Tiba + Marl (Pronounced Teeba) was created in 2015 by London duo, Anna Tizard and Lydia Barron. Both Mothers, they spotted a gap in the market for contemporary, trend inspired parent changing bags. Anna, a former Bag Buyer for Urban Outfitters and Topshop, and Lydia, a Footwear and Accessories Designer for Kurt Geiger and Sigerson Morrison, set about to provide cool Mums and Dads with a range of cleverly designed, super functional changing bags where an edge of cool always comes as standard.

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Tiba + Marl’s contemporary collection of bags redefines the staid tradition of baby changing bags by combining modern graphic prints, premium and high tech materials, and stylish but practical design. Inspired by the catwalks and street-style, their award winning collection breaks the mould for cool, modern parents who are seeking unisex designs that don’t compromise their sartorial choices.

Meticulously designed to merge high-fashion features with practical function, included with each bag is a co-ordinating clutch, that is water resistant and comes with a cross body strap – great for wet items or can be used as a separate, effortlessly-cool cross-body bag.

 

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MORE ABOUT // 

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Scamp & Dude was created by Jo Tutchener-Sharp, founder and previous MD of Beauty Seen PR.

With a long history in the world of fashion and beauty, Jo directed PR campaigns and arranged events for high profile individuals and brands such as Tom Ford, Matthew Williamson, Dolce & Gabbana, Vogue, Estee Lauder, Topshop, NARS and The BRIT Awards.

 

In October 2015 Jo’s life took a difficult turn when she suffered a brain haemorrhage. She had to leave her children for a lengthy stay in hospital to undergo life threatening brain surgery.

Every parent understands the feeling you get when you have to leave your child, whether it be a business trip or first day at school. That knot in the stomach and the ache in the heart.

It was this moment that inspired Jo to create a brand that helps children feel more secure when apart from their loved ones, and Scamp & Dude was born.

From something dark came something light.

NEVER KNOWINGLY CONCISE CHATS TO // KERRIE-ANNE BRADLEY | LONDON MOTHER’S CLUB

Meet the wonderful Kerrie-Anne Bradley, co-founder of beautiful site and Chief IG-er for London Mothers Club. Kerrie-Anne is a Pilates teacher & Mama to Ivy. Like me, she’s also an avid fan of The Libertines (and perhaps, not so secretly, of Harry Styles!). With arguably the best wardrobe on IG (oh the bags and shoes she has!), Kerrie-Anne has a keen sartorial eye and lust for London life. She’s also someone I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with over IG for a long while – but sadly, we’ve never yet managed to meet up IRL! We need to sort that pet!

Here, Kerrie chats to me about her inspirations, the inevitable Mum-Guilt and her go-to fashion brands.

CB: HELLO KA! Firstly, please introduce yourself and your concept.
K-AB: Hello, I am Kerrie-Anne! Mum to a very hilarious 5 year old called Ivy, a pilates teacher and founder of London Mothers Club. I used to be an economist too but that feels like a lifetime ago now. London Mothers Club is a lifestyle edit for mamas featuring mamas we meet on our journey, places we visit and things we love. It’s mostly a bit of fun and focussed on sharing cool stuff with like-minded mamas.

CB: Where did it all begin? What inspired you to start up your concept?
K-AB: It began in my flat in Kings Cross 5 years ago. I was lonely as I didn’t have any fellow mama mates, so I set up a few events in a few different places in London to try to meet some mums who liked similar stuff to me. At the time I was really into making jewellery and so I held some crafty events in Chiswick, Clapham and Islington. I connected with the mums who came to my Clapham event most and so we moved there and LMC was born. In the old days we used to run 2-3 events per year. We rebranded as a lifestyle edit in September last year and so far, all is going well.

CB: What is your brand ethos?
K-AB: Only share positive stuff about things that we genuinely like. We trial everything before featuring it.

CB: On a day-to-day basis, what or who inspires you?
K-AB: Cliché for a Mum to say but definitely my little Ivy. She’s so full of life, clever, witty and creative. She inspires me to be a better version of me – less grumpy and anxious. God, I’m welling up writing this. Actually, that’s a good point. Ivy has brought out a softer side in me. I never used to cry and now I bawl at anything and everything!
My pilates mentor Sarah Woodhouse. She’s been in the business a long time, is one of the most intelligent people I know (along with my husband Timmy K) and she’s so passionate about what she does. I’m constantly learning from her and I am so pleased to have met her on my Pilates journey.

CB: Can you tell us about or give us a sneaky peak of something new that’s coming up?
K-AB: Because we are a lifestyle edit we are constantly reviewing cool places and things. There’s nothing major to share but definitely tune in as we are pretty good at seeking out new things that you will love!

CB: Anything you wish you’d known before you became a parent / best piece of parenting advice?
K-AB: Well my friend who doesn’t have kids told me that her mate had told her that giving birth to a placenta was worse than the birth itself. So…. When I had done the Ivy bit (and ouch) I started freaking out thinking the worst bit was to come. Of course it wasn’t true. And of course I was being ridiculously dumb in ever thinking that could be the case. Ha, sorry not strictly parenting advice but I can’t really think of any and that was the thing that popped into my head. Oops!

CB: Parenting-essentials, we know there are more than a few! But what is the one thing you can’t leave the house without? What is your most used piece of parenting/child paraphernalia?
K-AB: Wipes. Ivy constantly has stuff on her face, in her hair, on her clothes, on my clothes, in my hair, in her bum etc etc you know the drill…

CB: Along the same vein as above, what is your ultimate Mum-Essential? What is your go-to item that you just can’t live without?
K-AB: Headphones?? Ha, just kidding. My mum-essential would be paper and colours. Ivy is obsessed and it’s a sure way to get her stopping with the, ‘can we do paper, scissors, rock again mama’ everywhere we go.

CB: What gives you ‘Mum-Guilt’? And how do you get round it?
K-AB: When I get a shouty about things that are pretty small just because I’m an impatient bugger and sometimes the, ‘can we play paper, scissors, rock’ on repeat gets on my nerves…. Always solved with a big hug and a couple more rounds of the dreaded game.
On a more serious note, I also get the guilt sometimes about choosing to only have one child. Ivy is pretty independent around other kids and sometimes I worry that she prefers her own time because she doesn’t have any siblings at home (she does have three half-siblings who live in Oxford). Also, when other mums say, “aren’t you tempted to have another. It would be nice for ivy etc” that brings on the guilt. But whenever I ask Ivy if she’d like another sibling her answer is always the same, “Why would I want another brother or sister when I have some already, I have my cousin Edie and I’ve got my babies (a crew of 10 dolls).” So I think it’s alright.

CB: Me-time is super important too, what do you like to do to zone-out?
K-AB: I am not very good at zoning out tbh. I’m constantly on the move and splitting my time between my various jobs. I do love a facial and go to a fantastic girl duo at Nichola Joss. She’s a shelb fav so it makes me feel pretty important as well as relaxed haha.

CB: Which are your go-to brands/shops?
K-AB: I love &OtherStories, Wood Wood, Ganni for everyday wear, Tophop and Zara for jeans, Bella Freud for a logo jumper, Burberry for a trench, Aurore UK for Breton, Eric Bompard for cashmere, L’urv for leggings and Solid & Striped for a swimsuit. My biggest binge is on shoes and I have an epic collection of Gucci, Charlotte Olympia, Valentino, Miu Miu, Saint Laurant etc – all stuff that I can’t really afford now/ need now as I am an activewear wearing Pilates teacher.
For Ivy I love Greenberry Kids, Minouche (Australian), Caramel Baby, a new brand called Little Borne for the ultimate jogger combo, everything from Archie’s Boutique (she picks well) and Papouelli for shoes.

CB:  What current wardrobe item is your all-time favourite and why?
K-AB: A leopard-print pair of Saint Laurent booties which I wear once in a blue moon (below).

CB: Choose 3 words to describe yesterday.
K-AB: Cold, busy and long.

CB: Tell us something about you that might surprise people.
K-AB: Well I am an over-sharer on social media so people know a lot about me. I guess there are lots of funny things about me I could share but that would be a bit predictable so I will share something closer to my heart. When I was 18 my best friend died unexpectedly. She was my first soul-mate and I have missed her every day since. The wonderful thing is that little Ivy has certain aspects of Carmel’s personality and I like to tell myself that her spirit lives on through my little girl. God, I am crying again….

CB: Whats the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
K-AB: This is a tricky one isn’t it?? To be honest I am not sure that I can pin-point a particularly moment but my husband Tim is such a kind person and always has my back.

CB: Recommend a book, film or album from the past year.
K-AB: I didn’t read it this year but I always recommend Just Kids by Patti Smith because it is a beautifully written journey of love & friendship. It gets me every time.

CB: What can you see out of your closest window / what is your current view?
K-AB: The road. I am sitting in Planet Organic, Wandsworth. I am working in here because my wifi is down again.

CB: Other than with your family & friends, where would you most like to be this weekend and why?
K-AB: In Vivamayr in Austria because it is this amazing retreat that specialises in gut health and I have loads of digestive problems.

Thank you so much for taking the time out for our chat Kerrie-Anne. It’s been so lovely getting to digitally know you over the past few years. You’re one of the most lovely and genuine people I’ve yet to actually meet – and I’m gonna give you the BIGGEST SQUEEZE ever when we finally get our diaries aligned.

If you don’t already, give London Mother’s Club a follow on IG: @LondonMothersClub, LIKE on Facebook: Facebook.com/LondonMothersClub and  sign up to the website, here: LondonMothersClub.com (especially as they have amazing content, but also lots of offers & competitions!)

#NeverConciseChats #ClaireChatsToLMC

 

 

NEVER KNOWINGLY CONCISE CHATS TO // STEPH DOUGLAS | DON’T BUY HER FLOWERS

Steph - Founder - Don't Buy Her Flowers

I’m super excited to share the ‘Chats To‘ feature from these gorgeous chops ! Meet Steph Douglas, mega-Mama of 2 (soon to be 3!), founder of brilliant business, Don’t Buy Her Flowers and one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met!

Here, Steph talks to us about the drive to start up Don’t Buy Her Flowers,  The Man Package and being the daughter to a Vicar. Oh and FYI, Steph and the other INCREDIBLY TALENTED women that were featured in that horrendously inaccurate Daily Fail ‘article’ are worth SO MUCH more to their family, friends and I for one am inspired daily by these wonderful women who go above and beyond in life. I’ve never skim-read something so atrocious, EVER. The article, simply put, boiled down to shoddy so-called journalism from a very jealous battle-axe. These women juggle a million plates without dropping a single one – whilst also maintaining their own businesses and careers, their home and all the while also making their own families, or the families of complete strangers, feel loved.

ANYWAY! Not gonna give them any more airtime than they have already been so lucky to have.

Over to you Steph!

CB: Firstly, please introduce yourself and your brand.
SD: I’m Steph and my business is Don’t Buy Her Flowers – we sell thoughtful gift packages.

CB: Brand names are a really important first impression of what you’re about, so how did you come up with your name?
SD: Well…ours is a pretty clear idea of what we’re not! The name came really quickly, because of where the idea for the business came from. Lots of brands have really abstract names and unless you’ve lots of money so that people will know what your brand is – which I knew we didn’t – having a name that is very clear is definitely a help.

CB: Where did it all begin? What inspired you to start up your concept?
SD: It started after I had my first baby and I received eight bunches of flowers from lovely family and friends who wanted to say ‘congratulations’. I was sitting on the sofa feeling overwhelmed and sore and leaky and the bouquets made me feel worse. It was another thing to care for and I just didn’t have the energy – or the vases! I also found that the things people did that showed they knew how I was feeling and what I needed, whether that was food parcels or the friend that came and did my ironing and held the baby while I bathed the toddler, or just the message from a friend saying “BTW I found breastfeeding hard initially and it might take a while so don’t panic, you’re doing great”, meant so much. It’s very easy to get caught up in the joy of a new baby, and it is a joy, but it’s also many other things including exhausting and I think new mums need looking after. We launched as gifts for new mums and then very quickly our customers wanted to send our packages for Get Well, Bereavement, Birthdays – any occasion when someone needs a little TLC.

The Care Package with Gin™
SHOP // The Care Package with Gin™

 

The Care Package with Thermos Mug™
SHOP // The Care Package with Thermos Mug™

CB: What is your brand ethos?
SD: The idea and everything we do centres around thoughtfulness. We see lots of gorgeous products all the time, but unless they help someone in a practical sense or offer some TLC, they’re not right for our packages.

CB: On a day-to-day basis, what or who inspires you?
SD: There is an awesome growing network of women doing their own thing and trying to figure out the juggle along with our position in society and how to still be a mother and a partner and a friend and I’m inspired by that community all the time. It doesn’t mean it’s easy or we all get it right, but we’re all trying to work it out in our own way.

Shop // The Man Package™
Shop // The Man Package™

CB: Can you tell us about or give us a sneaky peak of something new that’s coming up?
SD: We introduced The Man Package a few months ago – our customers asked us for a version of our Care Package for men. They’ve been sent for Birthdays, New Dad’s and Get Well Mostly, and as Father’s Day is coming up (18th June folks!!) we’ve added golfing and gardening magazine options for the older chaps. We’ve also got a Gluten Free Care Package coming up, which is again in response to customers asking for it.

CB: Anything you wish you’d known before you became a parent / best piece of parenting advice?
SD: The biggest thing I wish I’d known is that people weren’t actually judging me and my choices, and all that time I spent worrying about whether I was getting it ‘right’ I was doing my best and that was all my children ever needed. Mostly I think new mums need to be kind to themselves as we generally are not.

CB: Parenting-essentials, we know there are more than a few! But what is the one thing you can’t leave the house without? What is your most used piece of parenting/child paraphernalia?
SD: It used to be wipes but currently it’s colouring and activity books. Buster and Mabel are really in to them so we can go for food and not be in that intense ‘ORDER NOW!’ rush as we walk through the door, which we were in a couple of years ago. They’re both pretty obsessed with the iPad but we haven’t cracked it out in restaurants yet… will see how long we can keep that up!

CB: Along the same vein as above, what is your ultimate Mum-Essential? What is your go-to item that you just can’t live without?
SD: Let’s go with my Tiba + Marl bag. Even though they’re officially changing bags, I got it after mine were out of nappies so it’s never carried baby stuff, but it is always rammed with snacks and felt tips and has a protective bit for my laptop so I use it every day. As a back pain sufferer, the rucksack is a saviour. Thankfully they’ve made it a stylish accessory!

The Douglas Squad
The Douglas Squad

CB: What gives you ‘Mum-Guilt’? And how do you get round it?
SD: The juggle. Trying to do too much and then dropping balls and realising I can’t do it all and that something has to give. My favourite thing is weekends with no plans except to hang out as a four. It gives us a chance to recalibrate and the kids are always happiest when we’re not distracted or rushing out the door to meet people and be in line with other people’s timetables. I like seeing other people too (!) but I think with busy jobs and school and nursery, time to be just us is always just what we need and means we start the week a little calmer.

CB: Me-time is super important too, what do you like to do to zone-out?
SD: I love reading but for some reason it had become something I only did on holidays. I don’t sleep that well and find if I relax with a book before bed I sleep better, so I’ve just bought a load and love the escapism.

CB: Which are your go-to brands/shops?
SD: If I go in to &Other Stories I can guarantee I’ll find something (or a few things) I’ll love. Bimba Y Lola is great and not as widely known – some of their prints are really cool and you generally won’t find everyone in them. And John Lewis is always good for well pretty much everything.

CB: What current wardrobe item is your all-time favourite and why?
SD: Ooh I just got a very cool jumpsuit from Lowie with a tropical print on it and I’m going to live in it over the summer. I love a jumpsuit – less knicker flashing than dresses, you can dress them up or down, plus one item and you’re done. Perfect.

CB:  Choose 3 words to describe yesterday.
SD: Long, expensive and cakey (we were at the Richmond Fair and I was helping on the school cake stand. Doug took the kids off around the fair all afternoon and I’m pretty sure spunked £40 easily)

Steph Douglas // Founder | Don't Buy Her Flowers
Steph Douglas // Founder | Don’t Buy Her Flowers

CB: Tell us something about you that might surprise people.
SD: I would normally say that I’m a Vicar’s daughter, but as there was a (terrible and inaccurate) article in the Daily Mail last week that included this fact, it’s probably not a surprise! I have a History degree?

CB: What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
SD: I think it’s the thoughtful things that come when you really need them but don’t even know you need them? I was feeling pretty knackered a couple of weeks ago and a friend stopped in on her way home from work to drop off a cottage pie and a bunch of flowers. I burst in to tears and it was just lovely to know someone was thinking of me.

CB: Recommend a book, film or album from the past year.
SD: I’m currently reading ‘Big Little Lies’ after watching the TV show and loving it. The characters are just brilliant.

CB: What can you see out of your closest window / what is your current view?
SD: I’m actually working on my laptop in the car on my way to West Sussex to my brother’s pub! We’re going through a very idyllic village with a cute primary school and lots of pubs and discussing how one day we will live in the country. Not ready yet though…

CB: Other than with your family & friends, where would you most like to be this weekend and why?
SD: Oooh, always family & friends obviously, but in a couple of weeks I’m going to Menorca with a couple of girl friends and I am so looking forward to lying in the sun, reading and doing very little else. It’s come at just the right time.

CB: Anymore for anymore?
SD: Don’t forget Father’s Day!

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat, Steph. I also wanted to extend our congratulations and love to your beautiful fam on your lovely news! 💕

Be sure to follow Steph on her own Insta: @Steph_DontBuyHerFlowers and the Don’t Buy Her Flowers Instagram for the latest business updates: @DontBuyHerFlowers

#NeverConciseChats #ClaireChatsToStephDBHF

more ABOUT // don’t buy her flowers.

Don’t Buy Her Flowers was founded with a simple aim: to provide thoughtful gift packages for new mums, because they deserve something lovely just for them.

From launch we received requests to send our gifts for other reasons as well as after a baby arrived – birthdays, get well, bereavement and to say ‘it’s going to be ok’. We’ve had many reports of recipients crying when they open their package, overwhelmed that someone has thought of them.

So what’s wrong with flowers?

Although they are always lovely to receive, we wanted to create something that was more thoughtful and useful for mums and women at those times when they need it most. Something that encourages her to take ten minutes to herself. For new mums, we know having babies is amazing but it’s also a rollercoaster and can be hard. Knowing someone is thinking of you can be a huge boost and it turns out that our customers wanted to express that same sentiment to friends and family for all kinds of reasons.

Flowers say “I’m thinking of you”. A gift package from Don’t Buy Her Flowers says ‘I’m thinking of you, this package is all about you and I hope it makes you feel good’.
‘When I had my first baby, I received eight bunches of flowers. We didn’t have a lot of space and we certainly didn’t own multiple vases. I had to give them away or bin the least fresh to make way for the most recent. I also felt completely overwhelmed with everything – the baby, the visitors, the bodily functions – and trying to arrange flowers and then dispose of them was all a bit much, however pathetic that sounds. I found that other parents felt the same and Don’t Buy Her Flowers was born.’
Steph Douglas, creator of dontbuyherflowers.com

NEVER KNOWINGLY CONCISE CHATS TO // LUCY KNIGHTS | Born At Dawn

Photo: Leonie Freeman Photography.

Meet Lucy Knights,  Founder of online concept store and personal shopping shopping experience – BORN AT DAWN

Lucy is bringing to you focused, effortless style with a personal touch. A brilliant concept that I’ve seen grow from idea to launch and beyond. (All whilst juggling being a Mum of two gorgeous girls – that’s Mum-Boss inspiration right there!)

We talk to Lucy about the ideas behind Born At Dawn, the meaning behind the brand name and there’s also a treat for our readers in there too!

CB: Please introduce yourself and your concept.
LK: I’m a Northern girl that calls London home and has done for the last 13 years. I grew up in Warrington, Cheshire but these days I live in Walthamstow with my husband Adam and my 2 little girls, Lilia and Pixie Rose. As well as spending time with my family, when I get chance I love playing the host and entertaining- I love bringing our friends together.

I’ve always loved fashion retail, ever since I got my first part time job in a boutique near where I lived (It was in a chain called Morgan if any of you remember it?). I loved clothes, the customers, the buzz and how every day was different. I was always drawn back to it, so following doing a Business Degree at Sheffield University, I completed a Retail Management Graduate Scheme, was a manager at GAP’s flagship store and then spent 8 years at Harrods driving their Womenswear sales and strategy.

I launched BORN AT DAWN at the end of February this year. The mission is to bring focused, effortless style with a personal touch. The collection is mostly Scandinavian and French inspired brands and is centred around wardrobe heroes- beautiful, easy-to-wear clothes that can take you from day to night. All the pieces can be worn multiple times and in different ways, giving you endless options.

A “Night In” experience in also available in selected parts of London for customers that prefer to touch and feel the product before buying. A chance to book in an evening for us to bring the collection to you so that you can invite your friends over for a catch up, have a glass of Prosecco and shop all in the luxury of your own home.

CB: Brand names are a really important first impression of what you’re about, so how did you come up with your online alias/brand name?
LK: It is incredibly hard to choose a brand name! The reason I liked BORN AT DAWN is because it had multifaceted meanings behind it that were special to me. In business terms, it represents our focus on the birth of a new way to shop that suits women’s lives. On a personal level, the name Lucy means born at dawn, both of my children were born at dawn (early in the morning) and the launch of my business and the start of my entrepreneurial journey is a new beginning for me too.

CB: Where did it all begin? What inspired you to start up your concept?
LK: Listening to other women’s frustrations with shopping (and my own!). It’s easier to dedicate lots of time to shopping and fashion when you are younger, for instance in your early twenties, but as we get older and have more responsibilities, things change. When your life gets busier and more demanding due to our career and/or children, you have less time to dedicate to it. You still want to look good but your style changes slightly- you need more versatile, easy-to-wear, good quality pieces that work well together to make dressing straightforward.

We all know there are great high street stores like Zara that are accessible but as most women know- once you find a great piece there, before you know it all your friends will all have it and it will be all over your Instagram feed by the next week. There are mass market websites like ASOS, but who has time to browse 4000 options for just a black dress? They are catering for so many different customers now that it’s overwhelming. I wanted to focus on harder to find, more exclusive brands and build a collection of beautiful clothes that suit busy women’s lives.

The “Night In” service was devised after interviewing women about their shopping habits as many said they still liked to touch and feel the product before buying but couldn’t dedicate time to visiting the shops.

CB: What is your brand ethos?
LK: It’s about always being positive and celebrating real women wearing our clothes in their everyday life. The BORN AT DAWN customer is confident and knows their own mind. She doesn’t want to be a slave to trends or have other people always dictating what she should wear that season. She loves clothes and wants to look good but simply wants to wear what she likes and feels comfortable in.

CB: On a day-to-day basis, what or who inspires you?
LK: Other women inspire me all the time- friends and all the people I have met along the way on the BORN AT DAWN  journey. People who are down-to-earth, positive, work hard, follow their hearts and are focusing on their own version of success whatever that may be.

CB: Can you tell us about or give us a sneaky peak of something new that’s coming up?
LK: I’m always working on future events as love getting out there and meeting our customers. We’ve done some great pop up exclusive shopping events over the past couple of months and we’ve got much more in the pipeline for 2017. The best way to keep up to date is by following the BORN AT DAWN Instagram and subscribing to our newsletter.

Lucy at the recent BORN AT DAWN pop-up event at Southwood Stores
Photo: Shaneen Rosewarne Cox

 

CB: Anything you wish you’d known before you became a parent / best piece of parenting advice?
LK: Don’t focus so much on the birth. Of course, you need to do a little research when pregnant but don’t make it your main focus. The birth is over relatively quickly and the midwife can help you with that but then you have a child to bring up for life, so maybe spend a bit more time researching/thinking about that instead. I was pretty clueless and hadn’t spent much time around babies so I have spent the last 4 years either going by instinct or frantically googling!

CB: Parenting-essentials, we know there are more than a few! But what is the one thing you can’t leave the house without? What is your most used piece of parenting/child paraphernalia?
LK: I’ve learnt to pack quite lightly with kids now and they’re a bit older so I wouldn’t say I need much apart from some changing stuff and spare clothes (vital!) I always have a few kid’s games downloaded on to my phone too in case of emergency- sometimes it’s necessary if they are playing up somewhere they shouldn’t be.

CB: Along the same vein as above, what is your ultimate Mama-Essential? What is your go-to item that you just can’t live without?
LK: Wine. There’s nothing I love better than a glass on a Friday night at the end of the week.

CB: What gives you ‘Mum-Guilt’? And how do you get round it?
LK: I don’t often get Mum Guilt but I recently did just before the launch of BORN AT DAWN when the girls were in nursery a lot and family were helping me out with childcare quite a bit too. I missed them! The only way I’ve found to get around Mum guilt is to try and be focused in the moment when I’m with them. I don’t think the important thing is the quantity of time but the quality of time when you are with them. The times I feel bad are when I’ve been focused on other things whilst looking after them and that’s often when they will play up too. Sometimes it’s hard though when you’re self-employed- its inevitably going to overlap from time to time. We just have to do our best, that’s all we can do.

CB: Me-time is super important too, what do you like to do to zone-out?
LK: My guilty pleasures are KUWTK and Loose Women. I like nothing better than watching one of them when I’m home alone and have an hour spare!

CB: Which are your go-to brands/shops?
LK: Since launching BORN AT DAWN, I’ve only worn pieces from the collection. I curated it to suit busy women’s lives so it’s perfect for me.

In terms of shoes and accessories- I don’t buy often but I buy good quality. Shoes are so much more comfortable if you pay that little bit more and my designer bags have always lasted for years. I love Isabel Marant, Bimba and Lola for shoes; and Givenchy and Alexander Wang for bags.

For the girls, I like quirky Scandinavian brands like Molo and Bang Bang Copenhagen.

CB: What current wardrobe item is your all-time favourite and why?
LK: I love my leopard biker jacket from Mads Norgaard; it makes any outfit feel special. I love how soft the leather is and I’ve always been partial to leopard print so it’s perfect.

Leopard Print Jacket – Mads Norgaard – £430.00 //  BORN AT DAWN

CB: Choose 3 words to describe yesterday.
LK: Slow, Tired, Hard.

I had a bit of a rubbish day yesterday- today is much better. I love going to The Yes Mum Moon Clubs and something she talks about is following your energy flow. Some days you feel rubbish and tired, sometimes you feel on top of the world and you can take on anything. That’s just the way we work as women so I try and not feel bad when I have those kind of days-its normal and I know I will be on track again soon.

CB: Tell us something about you that might surprise people.
LK: My oldest daughters Lilia’s middle name is Butterfly. I love it but no one believes her when she tells them! Hopefully she likes it when she’s older!

CB: Whats the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
LK: My parents are the kindest people I know. Despite being on the other side of the country, I always know that if I needed them they would drop everything to be there. I couldn’t name one time as there have been so many but they constantly amaze me with their support and love. I hope that I can make my girls feel the same way.

CB: Recommend a book, film or album from the past year.
LK: I liked “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I loved the concept of creative ideas appearing to you as a gift and if you don’t take them, moving on to the next person.

CB: What can you see out of your closest window / what is your current view?
LK: My garden and my daughter’s snail collection. We will get her a real pet one day soon!

CB: Other than with your family & friends, where would you most like to be this weekend and why?
LK: I am desperate for a holiday but don’t think it will happen for us this year with the business launch. One of my favourite places is Ibiza in summer so I would love to be there. I’ve been many times and it holds many special memories for me.

A NEVER KNOWINGLY CONCISE TREAT

Lucy has kindly offered the following code for free delivery on any order: FREEDELIVERY

AND a special rate of £39.95 for a “Night In” service if you are in the catchment area*

*Currently available in most of North and East London and selected parts of Essex. Other areas may be available on request.

Loved chatting with you Lucy. It’s been a total pleasure getting to know you over the last year or so – and watching your BORN AT DAWN concept grow from idea to a beautiful and wonderful business! Congratulations my darling – hope to see you soon!

C

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Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for upcoming BORN AT DAWN events by signing up to the newsletter and follow Lucy on  Instagram: @BornAtDawn_

#NeverConciseChats #ClaireChatsToBornAtDawn

THE STORY

There once was a girl who enjoyed shopping for clothes. It was a pastime, a hobby, something she enjoyed… 

Then she got a little older. Now she has more responsibilities and demands on her time and the enjoyment starts to wane. Her life has changed and so has her style. She needs a different wardrobe. She needs outfits that will take less thought, are easy to put together and ones that can take her from day to night. She needs the pieces she buys to be versatile, to last, look great and she wants to wear them multiple times and in different ways. 

She tries the mass market online websites but they are trying to cater for so many customers that she gets 3908 options for just a black dress. She tries a shopping centre but there is no atmosphere and it’s hot and busy. She manages to discover an amazing jacket at a popular high street store but within a week it feels like every single person on her Instagram feed is also wearing it. She tries to follow catwalk trends but it’s hard to find the time, and by now she knows what suits her. She simply wants to wear things she loves rather than being dictated to. 

The perfect solution would be to spend hours browsing independent stores but it’s impossible. So before things go from bad to worse and she runs the risk of ending up in a changing room in her underwear on TV being made over by Gok Wan, we decided to step in. 

We have spent the last year researching brands and travelling across Europe to discover harder to find, more exclusive brands and buying beautiful pieces that can be worn multiple times and in different ways so you have endless options. We hope you love the collection as much as we do. X