What is name and
background behind your company?
I am Alice and I
am Bijou Bijoux. The name grew from various sources. My now husband called me
‘Bijou’ when we first got together and I have French ties to my family.
“Bijoux” is French for jewellery and “bijou” means ‘Small and elegant, and well-formed’. Which I think describes the
brand very well!
Bijou Bijoux grew
in the summer of 2009, primarily as I was after feather headdress and
everything in the shops looked badly made or just not right. I already had a
huge feather collection so I set about designing for myself. Soon my friends
wanted items and it all developed from there. I started my shop on Etsy, sold
at local markets and I haven’t looked back since.
Where are you
based?
I am based in
Hackney, London, but grew up in South Devon so I market myself as being between
both. Devon inspires most of my designs.
How long have you
been in business for?
Bijou Bijoux has
been running since July 2009
What do you love
most about living in London?
I love the variety
of life. I live in Clapton, Hackney – over looking the river Lea and marshes
and I adore it. How many places in London can you live on a river, right on a
park and next to a nature reserve and still afford to eat! I get to cycle to
work everyday in Clerkenwell and enjoy the peace and quiet of the green East
End at the weekends.
Who or what
inspires you?
I am mostly
inspired by my childhood in Devon. The hills, fields, wild moorland and the
wonderful sea line coast. All my materials come from local suppliers and I grow
as much of it as I can on my balcony.
I am also heavily
influenced by 1920’s styling, and especially Alphonse Mucha paintings – the
headdresses are just wonderful!
What advice would
you give designers starting out?
Make what inspires
you; would you wear it? You need to feel passionate about your work. Also,
don’t feel disheartened by competition, yes there are established brands out
there with similar work, but if you find your own way and style then you will
find your customers. Most importantly, keep going. You won’t be an over night
success and chances are it will take a good few years – just keep going!
Lastly, don’t copy
– it’s a struggle to make your way as an independent designer and being copied
just undermines us all. Just be inspired!
What is new for
your company?
I’ve moved out of
artificial and paper flowers and now use dried rose buds, lavender, wheat and
leaves. I love drying flowers I’ve grown myself and the colours they change to
are just wonderful. They are also surprisingly durable and hard-wearing; plus
they hold onto their scent and there is nothing lovelier than wearing headwear
that smells of summer fields.
I want my designs
to be organic and natural and my future plan is to have my own flower garden so
I can make freshly picked designs for weddings.
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