Linen Goods

Sarah applied to do work experience at Oromono, which was the first business that I established after graduating from Loughborough University. Even though we designed and sold textile design for high end interiors, I loved her work and her CV showed ambition, her portfolio of work showed her pure talent.

Now, I run my own business consultancy, we create solutions and strategies through design innovation.

I always remember being flown over to Tokyo by my clients to show my award winning collection that I first exhibited at Maison et Objet. I was spoilt by them from the day I landed, I always held my Japanese clients in such high regard. I’m a big believer in treating others how you wish to be treated yourself and the Japanese have the same philosophy in business.

That’s a tough one, there is so much to learn when starting up; but I believe you need to have more than just talent. You have to be ambitious, determined, fearless, be able to take risks and keep pushing yourself to be successful. Above all though, you must love what you do, because you will be doing it everyday. Also I’ve personally always mixed business and pleasure, which led to me travelling to some of my favourite places in the world with my favourite people.

How has running your business changed in the time you’ve been involved in the industry?

After designing and selling my own textile collections internationally for ten years from my Amsterdam studio, I wanted a change. I moved to London and became a Business Lecturer at, in my mind, two of the best creative institutions in the London; CSM and Ravensbourne. It gave so me so much pleasure to advise and help students and graduates to start up their own businesses and work freelance. I’m still in touch with many of them today!

Graduating from my degree as a textile designer, I thought it would always be fabrics and interior design. I have worked with many materials over the years including paper fabric, woolen felt, stunning silks and of course I created many linen goods. However, after doing a Masters in service design, I’ve now discovered design thinking. I’ve now become passionate about starting and developing business strategies using design as a process.

Through research I’ve discovered that the best service designers who revolutionise how businesses are set up and developed, quite often come from a design background. Creative thinking gives you the opportunity to come up with ideas and concepts in a different way to a traditional business consultant. So, I guess now my new favourite material is people, I now create and design business concepts through a human-centric approach.

I immediately thought, my engagement ring, it’s a reminder of the man who I live my life with. Together we face everything , we’re a team and together we’re stronger. It’s also a very pretty champagne diamond from Australia, which is where he’s from. Everyday, I look at it and enjoy its sparkle! Another gem in my life, is a little buddha made from stone. I found it in Kyoto in a antique street sale. Its been held so much overtime that its curved in shape to fit in someones hand. I love it, because it reminds me of my journey of exploration in Japan, which I couldn’t recreate now if I tried.

What does priceless mean to you?

Something money can’t buy, an experience, a moment, a place, laughter with a friend, a giggle from my daughter or a smile from my son when I walk into a room.