A second part of our collaborative blog, where Rachel
asks Christina a question or two......
Q: Was I who you expected when we met?
A: Absolutely not. This is the picture I had in
mind:
I expected a beautiful (not that you aren't) cool (not
that you aren't)
California girl (not that you aren't) but to be more
intimidating, less cosy, less funny.
I certainly didn't expect to like you. I mean, look at
you, you look terrifyingly cool!
Q: SC & C& R have similar qualities,
romantic, floral and vintage inspired did you see SC as
competitive or complimentary over the years.
A: I have followed your story over the years
and every time I visited New York,
Shabby Chic was always my first stop. Although there is a
similarity in our
brands, when you actually look closer we are quite, quite
different. You have a calmer,
less greedy, more confident approach. I, however, want to
do it all, and from our
first and second fabric, Bees and Hatley, they were
already louder and more
prominent designs, whereas yours were just
beautifully......quiet.
So I think that we are more complimentary rather than
competitive.
as opposed to
Q: I know we have
discussed our trials and tribulations of being creative while owning our own
companies. Do you find it difficult to keep your creative
passion alive when the biz piece screams
for attention.
A: Oh yes indeed I
do. I once worked out that I spend approximately 4 weeks a year
creating and the rest is business. When one is buried in
spread sheets, and budgets and
running to stand still, it has to be a conscious effort
to stop all that noise and
concentrate on creating. More often than not, deadlines
creep up on me and suddenly
I have to lock myself away and do nothing but draw, sadly
it is usually under pressure.
Though now it is lovely to disappear into the treehouse
and work alongside my daughter
(who is also my MD and financial controller, website
manager and production manager
amongst a million other things) and work out what to do
for the next season.
Q: I know you work
closely with your daughter Kate. Do you have mama and daughter
moments and if so how do you work through them.
A: I don't think
we have actually ever had a 'moment' as far as Cabbages & Roses was
concerned.
Though, there could have been a moment when Kate was
between school and university,
and trying to earn money for her big trip abroad. She
worked in our Ledbury Road store
on Saturdays, but also worked at a publisher during the
week, and in a bar at night.
She recently admitted to me that she used to take naps on
the floor behind the till because
she was always so exhausted. If I had known, that could
have constituted a 'moment'.
Now, however, she is so kind, gentle, clever and hard
working I have nothing but admiration for her
and look up to her as my 'boss'. The best in the world.
 |
| Me & my boss Kate in New York a long time ago. |
Q: While other trends come and go. Do you agree it is important to stay true to our original vision or
are you tempted to stray to attract other demographics.
A: I have been,
but experience now tells me that is a mistake. We have spent the last
18 years wooing the demographic that is ours, and I see
no benefit trying to attract
others. We have found our place and are so happy in it.
We have been big, and
have had to accommodate an enormously wide range of
customer, it is difficult designing
for such a lot of people with differing tastes without
being commercial. We are
not commercial, and we are not good at it. So, happily we
are where we are
and couldn't be more delighted.
 |
| A small section of our demographic, 81 year old Christine a C&R muse with Christina |
Q: You have been a major inspiration for me to settle part time in Somerset. I can see you live the
C&R life. Are
you ever inspired to travel afar to bring in other creative elements.
A: No, not really.
I have travelled extensively in my long life, and although I love other
cultures, other countries other lives, I am at my
happiest at home in Somerset, living a small
and, I have to say, beautiful, simple life. There is as
much inspiration here as I need.
And there is always Google!!
Q: How has social
media impacted your business. I find the term “influencers “ challenging. What
are your thoughts.
A: I absolutely
agree, I am also challenged by this new phenomenon. Luckily it is not in my
remit to deal with social media, indeed I have been
forbidden to contribute to Cabbages & Roses
Instagram account, because I have caused mini riots when
posting my views.
Although I am not a social media type person, I
understand that it has a place in
business, but thank goodness we have the lovely Moli
Coffee to deal with it and deal with
it she does, very well indeed.
Q: I know you have
recently closed your London store. Do you still feel retail is relative.
A: I do, but in a
very different way to how it used to be.
Apart from the internet making shopping
so much easier to do from the comfort of your own bed/sofa,
I think that
to survive in retail, continuing to rent spaces at
extortionate prices, along with all the other add ons,
is just not sustainable. For such a long time the only
companies who can afford to have a retail space
have been huge chain stores. Thus, in every city, on
every high street, in many many countries, you
find exactly the same shops that you have just left
behind in England. I think that retail needs to be
worthy of a trip, something to look forward to, something
to be surprised by. It needs to sell you
things you really really want, things that will last a
life time, that you will love forever.
Q: Will you ever
come to Los Angeles to visit my SC world.
A: Yes please, if
you will have me. xxx
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