Rosie is an inspiration and an absolute grafter. She's collecting awards all over the place including Great British Creative Industries Entrepreneur 2016 and is definitely one to keep an eye on.
HOME IS?
Originally the Wirral (Merseyside). Now home is a ground floor Victorian Flat in Catford, South East. Hello semi-affordable London.
UNFORGETTABLE LINGERIE MOMENT, GOOD OR BAD?
Nick and I met as neighbours and when we first started dating, he took me out for midnight dinner at La Bodega Negara, Soho. After a few bottles of wine we rolled home at about 3am and decided it was a perfect opportunity to dance in our underwear to Purple Rain, perfecting our prince impressions. Mid way through the second verse on max volume I realised our mutual neighbour, who had taken advantage of the fact we left the front door open on the way in, had popped in to ask us to turn the music down. Mid pirouette our eyes met prompting me to dive for a bean bag to hide behind. Purple shame…
EARLIEST LONDON MEMORY?
Crown Jewels, aged 5 with my aunt that lived in Earlsfield.
MOST ROMANTIC THING SOMEONE’S DONE FOR YOU?
For my last birthday, Nick rented a little canal boat as a surprise and we explored the Norfolk Broads for a weekend. Every morning when I woke up Nick had made breakfast, lit the wood fire and we’d already be on our way to the next place.
BEST LONDON MEAL?
All things tapas. I am a big Boqueria fan but trying to branch out.
FAVOURITE LONDON DISCOVERIES?
Crafty Fox Markets: 100s of independent designers and makers under one roof. Yes please!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD.
Ah, Catford. Well, we have a massive fibreglass cat on top of our shopping centre – Can you beat that? Not really. After being in Brixton for so long we were worried about moving to the unknown but I love the arty vibe in our borough. Hither Green and New Cross have some amazing markets and shops and the green space South East is some of the best in London. I love it!
WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN?
My friend, Laura. She’s my Scouse sister (just not biologically) and I can always count on her to make me laugh within about 30 seconds.
BUILDING YOU’D MOST LIKE TO BE LOCKED INSIDE FOR THE NIGHT?
My old art school on Hope Street, Liverpool. They moved buildings and in our final year and I’d do anything to go back to the old building which was beautifully decayed. The different smell in each room was fantastic from printing machinery to industrial irons.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?
The moment you think you’ve made it, is the moment you’ll fail.
IF YOU COULD WORK WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE?
Michelle Obama
WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?
Animals. As Nick says “I have an unsolicited pet-purchasing problem”
LAST ALBUM YOU DOWNLOADED?
Bon Iver. 22, A Million.
FAVOURITE LONDON SHOPS?
Labour and Wait in Shoreditch for the home. The Keep Boutique and Lowie in Brixton for clothes and gifts.
AT THE MOMENT YOU ARE...?
Looking forward to a holiday!
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Easy! Independent brands. I live, sleep, shop, everything independent. Without being a bore, I try and encourage people to do the same. I know what it takes to make a small business work – to put your heart and soul into something. If someone has created something amazing, I can’t help but support them. Whether that be buying their product or telling others about it.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST RISK YOU’VE TAKEN?
I should say starting the business but I never saw it as a risk as I never really had anything to lose. It’s become so much a part of me and my life that now my biggest risk is making the right decisions day to day in order to keep it alive.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I guess making it work in the big smoke. Not just the business but my life. I moved here knowing very few people and now I have a great support network of friends, business, team and relationship. The first two years were tough but looking back now, I’m so glad I didn’t give up.
