Founded by Fiona, Trousseau of Nottingham Lace make a collection of Nottingham lace gifts ranging from wedding garters to hankies and fragranced gifts plus a collection of new baby gifts. They also handmake decorative vintage–style dolls and fairies, re-purposing old textiles to produce heirloom pieces.
When and how did you start your business?
I actually started in the mid-1980s when I bought lace from local Nottingham factories and made up a small collection of gifts from my basement flat in London, booking meetings with the then buyers at Harrods, Liberty and The General Trading Company in Sloane Square. It was easy in those days to approach buyers directly. Now with the help of my trusted lady outworkers, I have been fortunate to continue to supply my trade customers.
In more recent times I have begun to handmake one-off pieces such as embroidered lavender hearts, fairies and vintage dolls, which I sell via Christmas fairs. It gives me great pleasure to make something and see the end purchaser and hear their reaction to my work. That is something rare when supplying to shops…the main feedback is the re-order.
What do you enjoy most about the creative process?
I enjoy every part of the creative process, especially working with vintage fabrics as each piece dictates to me how it should be used. I recently produced a product exclusively for Harrods called The Magical Baby’s Treasure Box, with an embroidered lid that contains all sorts of significant well–wishing items to give to a new baby.
What is your hero product or one that means the most to you and why?
It would have to be my Nottingham lace collection of gifts because that’s where I started and I still sell to Nottingham Castle.
What does a typical working day look like?
I work from my studio at home and don’t really have a typical working day. Sometimes I will work all weekend and have a couple of days off midweek – my flexibility timewise is very useful.
What tip (or tips) would you give anyone looking to start a small creative business?
Years ago, I would have advised a small creative business to get their product seen by buyers via a trade fair. That’s how I began once I had approached a couple of shops directly. But now the internet has changed things beyond belief and creating a brand and promoting it online is certainly a way of getting noticed. If you have a strong product, can maintain quality and productivity, build trust and rapport with your customers while remaining profitable… you should do well.
Shop Trousseau of Nottingham Lace at the Country Living Christmas Market this November for a thoughtful gift this Christmas.