In conversation with Jess, the founder of a slow fashion business.
Jess is an incredible designer who works alone, single-handedly crocheting her pieces to sell them on Instagram. She favours slow fashion and her pieces include handmade hats, scarves, bags and even some coasters. Most of them are in beautiful block colours which can be worn all throughout the year as well as a lighter material which is suitable for all seasons! Her platform is starting to grow, and we are certain that she will become THE Instagram account in a matter of seconds. To check out her work, just head to her Instagram by clicking on the button at the end of the article.
Tell us a little bit about your company and how you started it.
I’ve been crocheting for a few years now with the support and interest of friends and family, but it was only after being made redundant that I decided to start up my company. I began writing patterns and sampling different yarns and materials and after a couple of months decided to launch jess__nash.
Your pieces are handmade, sustainable and only available in small batches - are you the only one behind the scenes?
At the moment I am single handedly running the company, everything is handmade by myself in my London studio. Each product is made to order, meaning it can be altered in size and I also offer custom pieces so that the customer can also have some creative input should they wish.
What have been the biggest challenges so far? What do you think will be the biggest challenges in the future?
Christmas was a big challenge for me, I am constantly writing and developing patterns for new product launches, but in order to fulfil orders they will now have to wait until next winter. The amount of support I’ve received from friends and customers is overwhelming, I feel so grateful for the growing community of makers I am now a part of. I am working hard to balance my time, limiting orders so that I will have time to develop new products too.
Your pieces are unique and simple, do you have any inspirations for your designs?
My patterns are heavily influenced by my personal style, the quality of materials means my products should be able to be worn season after season, year after year. They’re made to last. I suppose my design inspiration largely comes from my everyday, colours noticed on walks I’ve taken, designs drawn from practical ideals. I also talk to my friends a lot about what they’re doing, the colours they’re noticing and what they like to wear.
Can you tell us any plans for the future?
My plans for the future include being stocked in a physical store, hopefully at some point this year. I like the idea of mixing with other makers and practitioners and moving towards more sustainable ways of living in my personal life.
Lastly, any tips for newbies in the small business world?
This is a fun question as I very much consider myself a newbie, I think my advice would be to give it a go! Whatever you make, I’d recommend taking a couple of months to research and prepare some stock. You’ll be surprised how quickly you begin to sell to people you don’t know in cities you’ve never heard of! My only other piece of advice is to be kind, there are so many other wonderful people making beautiful things, and they will most likely turn out to be your biggest support network and closest friends!
