I don't think I am in the wrong in saying that Denim really isn't a very ethical or eco fabric, and I would say that pretty much everyone, Including myself has a wardrobe with denim in it.]]>I for one am a believer that for the world to transition to a more sustainable place we need everyone to take small steps to sustainability as opposed to a few people doing it amazingly.
I believe all products that we can buy SHOULD be made in the kindest way possible to the planet and us. So then the responsibility doesn't fall to the consumer to work out which item has been made in an ethical way. As we already have more than enough decisions to make on a day to day basis.
Now if you want to read up on why denim isn't great then just Google 'why is denim bad for the environment' and you will find soooo much info on it. And it can really put you off it, However the supply will always be there if the demand is there. We just need to make the supply better.
Don't panic!!
There are plenty of ethical ways you can still get your denim fix. Like buying second hand, washing less, washing on a cooler temp, using a more eco laundry powder, buying more sustainably produced denim products or even buying reworked denim products!
That's why I now make Children's dungarees made from unwanted denim jeans!
Exactly like this pair Dexter is loving wearing whilst he goes about his day playing. The idea is to turn an unwanted item into a new item keeping it out of landfill for longer.
Genius?!
Personally that's a good thing in my book and if that qualifies as a small step to sustainability then whoop whoop it's a winner!
To find your little ones new denim fix head to the new 'Reworked' Collection on my site!
Things have been very busy here with general life and all your orders! Thank you so much. I have finally caught up and I have now found time to make a start on a new idea I have wanted to get my teeth into for some time now.
'Reworked Clothing'
Essentially this is making new clothes from old clothes & textiles, surplus fabrics and faulty fabrics.
The circular fashion Industry has boomed in recent years however there is still a long way to go to make the Industry anywhere near more sustainable.
I have been wanting to try and reuse clothing and textiles to produce new items that can be loved and kept within the industry for longer.
So the way I will work it for now is i will be listing items as I make them. I will make in various sizes and they will be available to purchase from the website.
Keep an eye out on my insta and the website for new items x
]]>As if it was last July I wrote a blog post. My god I didn't last long on the blog train did I.
What a very strange time we are living in. I for one thought the new year 2021 was going to be amazing and a whole lot better than 2020 well that didn't exactly happen did it!
My eldest started school last September so this time round we have homeschooling to contend with. Phonics!!!! Luckily my 3yr old can still go to nursery 2 days but basically I am full time mum with some working around them thrown in.
Anyway I am here now and I have some very exciting news to tell you. I have finally finished my new product.......
A Romper!
This product has been in production for some months now but due to the slight issue of a global pandemic it has taken a lot longer than anticipated.
As this is a very new product I am going to be offering this Romper out to 5 lucky people at a very discounted rate. If you want to get your hands on one of these beauties then all you have to do is sign up to my newsletter and keep your eyes peeled. Once this product goes live on my site I will be emailing a discount code out to all my contacts. The code will only be accepted 5 times so you had better be quick once it lands in your inbox.
It will be available in both designs and colourways and I can not wait to get it launched. Its a staple item for your smalls wardrobe as it can be layered up or down dependent on the great British weather! What's not to love.
I have been meaning to get on here for ages. I actually enjoy writing blog posts when I get round to it as I feel it's just like having a conversation with a friend. It doesn't have to be formal and feels quite easy to write so my goal is to maybe pop on and do little updates weekly. Sometimes I might not have anything to chat about but hey I will find something I am sure.
I hope you are all keeping safe and well during these times. It is hard work now especially with this 3rd lockdown and the weather been cold and wet. But try stay strong and take one day at a time. If you don't already, head over to my Instagram or Facebook to give me a follow and please feel free to drop me a message anytime if you have any questions about my products or even if you just want a little chat about the weather! My inbox is always open.
Speak Soon Charlotte x
]]>Hello all. I hope you are all well.
I kinda feel like a hedgehog coming out of hibernation now as we are all heading back into the world. Here we basically downed tools and got stuck into just been mum and dad for a good 2-3 months. It was great having all that family time together. Something we don't get often as we both work for ourselves.
It was hard and there were times when I just wanted to run away as it was so intense been on top of each other all that time day in day out but it was bliss not having to rush as we didn't & couldn't be anywhere. It brought a great calmness into our lives, Which soon is drifting away as we head back out into our old routines. My husband started going back to work in June time and then me and the boys headed back to work and nursery at the start of July. So we have had I think 3 weeks of more 'old normal' back and I wont lie I am loving it. The boys are back to their confident selves. My two are very social and it was making them so unhappy not seeing people and having that interaction. And I am now able to get stuck back into work. Honestly, I am finding it hard to find my feet again. I was meant to launch the new direction of Charlotte Lucy at a market in April however with this not happening nothing really was launched. Then with not been able to work during lockdown everything has kinda slipped away and I now feel I am trying to collect everything back together and get going again. And it's hard. Any one else feel like this?
I wanted to create some new products that were aimed for the cooler months however I haven't had the time to work on this and I feel it all would be too rushed now to start it for winter so I think I am just going to put all that to a side and go for a full relaunch for the start of next year. During this time from now to then I am going to get myself on top of all my social and marketing so that when the new year comes I am on it and ready to go.
It is like the year of 2020 has been so impactful in our lives yet I just want to wipe it out the way and get started with 2021. I don't think I have looked forward to a new year so much in my life.
Anyway I am so pleased to be back with you and I look forward to seeing what comes of the next few months.
Keep safe everyone. Cx
]]>Hello from lockdown!
I hope you are all keeping safe and well. Basically since the day we all locked down I had to pack up working with having the boys at home. Even having a wee in peace is non existent with a 4 and 2 year around. As I am sure alot you of can relate. We were thrusted into a world we have never known before. So used to doing what we want when we want and now been confined to our house with only one form of outdoor exercise a day.
So here I am now. Clawing back any free minutes I can get. So on my last blog post I posted about my next fair which was meant to of been back at the start of April. Mama meet and market at White Syke Fields, York. Obviously this didn't go ahead and I didn't get to launch my new collection as planned. Hey Ho. So I have now got the new collection finished and I am currently getting the photography done and getting the products online. With the Covid 19 in mind things will be taking slightly longer than normal to process. So I am saying products will be 2-3 turnaround. This is so it gives me time to make the products with the little ones around and time for royal mail to get the parcels to you as their times are slightly longer than normal (understandably).
We are all in such unusual times and non of us know really what is going to happen but one thing for sure is I am loving the community feel we have these days. Looking out for each other and considering others as well as our selves. Which I believe is something that needed to come back.
The sense of community we all have now is stronger than ever and I wish very much for this to last when we return to our new 'normal'.
I also along with everyone else would like to give a big Thankyou to ALL NHS staff, frontline workers, Shop workers, cleaners, carers, delivery drivers and everyone else who is having to continue to work through these difficult times to keep everyone safe. Thankyou. You are true #Heros
Over the next week keep your eyes peeled as I am hoping to get the collection live before my husband has to return to work ☺️ and I am parenting solo. 😂
Take care everyone. Sending lots of love C.x
]]>It has been ages since I wrote my last post. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year. If I am honest 2020 has not started off great for me but there are plenty of exciting things coming up that are managing to distract me.
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook then you should have seen today that my new fabric has arrived!! I can not tell you the amount of blood, sweat and tears that have gone into creating this fabric and it is finally here!
I am hoping to do a post about my fabric soon if I can grab 2mins.
Anyway I just wanted to post it on here that I am very lucky to be taking part in the next Mama Meet and Market at White Skye Fields, York.
This will be on Sunday 5th April and it is going to be one amazing market!
"We look forward to welcoming you lovely people to White Syke Fields for a day of shopping, eating, socialising and having some fun. We are family friendly event, that connects the amazing instagram/independent businesses with parents who love finding the coolest products for their family.
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You can expect a minimum of 50 stall holders, free children’s first aid demos, soft play, hot food and drink, mini photo shoots, free parking, great baby changing area and more. Join us on SUNDAY APRIL 5th at @whitesykefields from 11am, £2 per adult entry (no tickets required) Children free. #mamameetandmarket"
Spread the word and see you there!! x
]]>The Christmas rush is well and truly upon me now. I stopped taking made to order, Orders on Sunday just gone. Just so I can guarantee that all orders will be delivered in time for the big day. Last day of posting for the ready made stock that is on my etsy shop is December 16th. So not long left.
I just wanted to say a quick hello and that I am still busy sewing away like a Christmas elf in Santa's Grotto. I didn't want to go into too much tonight as I need to get back to some sewing so thought I would just give you a heads up on this beautiful Christmas market I am taking part in.
I will be at the White Syke Fields on Saturday 14th selling bloomers and scrunchies for any last minute shoppers.
Come along and say Hi and support lots of amazing independent businesses. It is going to be amazing! xx
"Our first ‘Winter in the Wheelhouse’ event is set to be an explosion of indie makers and festive fun!
We’ve hand selected local creatives that will be showcasing a range of:
Homewares | Hand-printed textiles | Jewellery | Children’s toys & clothes | Artisan street food | Craft beers
Soak up the atmosphere, support small businesses and have a great afternoon of undercover shopping and festive winter warming delights!
Free entry
In collaboration with Caboodle Magazine and Wellies & Wifi Creative"
Follow this link to see a full list of Stall Holders and Food & Drink Vendors
https://whitesykefields.co.uk/events/winter-in-t
Hopefully see you there!!
Love Charlotte
x
]]>Basically I have always lived in Norton, Malton (Norton-on-Derwent) if I want to be accurate! I went to the local primary school and secondary school and was a middle of the road kid. I did alright in school lets say. Then I applied for York College. For some insane reason a couple of weeks before starting my Fashion Design Course at York I decided I wanted to go to the local 6th Form! Disaster. I chose to do Health and Social care, Biology and Business Studies. Not really sure why it all went completely over my head. I wanted to leave after a few months as I hated it but my mum made me see the year out so after my 1st year and getting UNCLASSIFIED in my AS EXAMS I left to go back to York and study fashion design. I LOVED it.
I have grown up with sewing all my life really. My mum always made our curtains, mended our clothes etc, My gran on my mothers side knitted and sew. My Grandad on my dads side worked as a cutter in a clothing factory in Leeds and my gran was a seamstress, so you could say it is within my blood.
I did 4 years at at York College. Here I studied a ND and HND in fashion design. I won 1st prize Merchant Taylors Award 2008 for my final collection. I was a finalist for the Yorkshire Fashion Idol competition 2008 for a dress I had designed, and I had the oppourtunity to work for Westlife whilst they were on tour. I loved every aspect of the courses at York (apart from art history 🙄) and when the option came to go off and do a year top-up to make my HND a degree I just didn't know what area to focus on so I left college and just got on with life. I met my now husband whilst I was finishing my course and we went travelling for a couple of months after I left college. On my return I did whatever work I could, waitress, van driver, debt collector and sales assistant.
In 2010 I launched ‘Charlotte Lucy’ making bespoke one off pieces for women. This went well and I did it alongside holding a part time job down, so I knew I had a steady income to live off as the sewing work could be so varied. As wonderful as making bespoke occasion wear was it was extremely stressful and I never charged myself out correctly so it never really earnt me a lot of money. So at the end of 2011 I decided to start creating ready to wear collections. The first ever ‘Charlotte Lucy’ collection was 2012. These are a few images from the full collections:
2012 photographer Joe Dodsworth
Then 2013 photographer Joe Dodsworth
I also got married in 2013 and made my wedding dress, my bridesmaid dresses, my mothers outfit and all the men's accessories.
Photographer Joe Dodsworth
2014 Collection photographer Joe Dodsworth
Then in 2015 I was asked by the Great Yorkshire Show to produce a collection for their fashion tent so I decided to launch the collection exclusively there. Photographer Dan Whittleton
All garments that I made for these collections were all designed, pattern cut and handmade by myself. They were made to order and I basically sold them through word of mouth, my website and social media. Looking back now it was something that was always going to be difficult to get off the ground. Again I never charged my time out properly as I was worried people wouldn't pay the true cost for the garments and I struggled with actually getting the Label out there and in front of the right people. When I did the collection for the Great Yorkshire Show in 2015, I was actually pregnant with my first son Seth, so in one way it was my final collection for Charlotte Lucy as I was never going to be able to continue it when I had a baby to look after. At this point I decided to shut the label down and concentrate on been mum for a while. It wasn't long till we had another baby, 19 months apart so it was a blessing I had put the label to sleep as I now I had my hands full more than ever before.
Sewing has and is always going to be a big passion of mine. It's what I do, and if I can make a living at it then to me I am winning. In 2017 after a break from it all a few friends mentioned to me about making their little ones some bloomers, so I gave a few a go and actually thought I might be able to make a bit of money on these so the seed was planted and Charlotte Lucy was Re-launched as a childrenswear label 🌱.
C xxx
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Welcome to my blog and my website. You may already be familiar with me or my brand or both, or we may be meeting for the first time. Hello :)
Basically I am a creative mum living in North Yorkshire who loves to sew. My website has been up and running for some months now and I am on: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (I very rarely use twitter if I am honest).
It may be obvious but the name Charlotte Lucy is actually me! It took a lot of thought to come up with that name! Truth. Haha!
I attend a networking group in Yorkshire called Yorksinstameet (search it on Instagram or Facebook). It was set up by 2 lovely ladies Caroline and Louise who both have their own businesses - https://www.flohrandco.com & https://peonyandgrace.co.uk/ and they set it up to be somewhere that creatives can meet together, chat, share stories, share advice and hopefully collaborate together. A lot of the attendees are mums and work by themselves so its a great way to feel like you are part of something bigger and to give you a pat on the back to say you are doing it right and to keep going.
I have met some amazingly talented people at the events I have attended and think it is such a wonderful thing. So Thankyou Caroline and Lou for creating it.
Yesterday the meet was at Castle Howard. Right on my doorstop and the guest speaker was Vicki Psarias creater of https://honestmum.com/
WOW she is one inspirational women. Go check her and her work out as she is such a breath of fresh air. How have I not known of her before.... I know the word Inspiring is a bit all over at the moment but she truly is.... Honest!!!
One of the things which I found extremely refreshing from her was that she made me realise that Instagram isn't everything. Which when I think about it Instagram seems to be consuming more and more of my day than ever. I seem to have got this tunnel vision of scheduled posts, stats, likes, stories etc etc and it is very exhausting trying to create visual content all the time. This demand to have a perfectly looking grid I am finding it to be quite unachievable really. But I am OK with that however the Instagram Algorithm isn't, Tut!
Well Vicki Started out Honest Mum as a blog whilst she was on maternity leave, and she planted the seed for me to start one myself. I will go into more detail about who I am etc and the business in the next post but basically she made me realise that with a blog I can give you all behind the scenes chat. What I or the business is up to. My highs & Lows, ask for opinions and basically be able to show people the REAL ME not the Instagram me and not worry if it doesn't look 'right' on my grid! I will tell you now I am not a great writer. I didn't do well in my English GCSE so please ignore if there are any spelling errors or how I have wrote things that are not quite PC, I will write as I talk, I am Yorkshire so I hope you can keep up! Just shout if not :)
So from this day I will be chatting, rambling, wittering to whoever wants to follow my journey on building my Business!
If you have made it this far THANKYOU I really do appreciate your time in doing so. And a BIG BIG shout out to Vicki for giving me the push to do it!
If you would like to follow my 'not quite Instagram perfect Grid' then you just need to search @charlottelucyengland. Also my facebook is https://www.facebook.com/charlottelucyengland/ I wont lie they are pretty much identical as I am not good at creating 2 different sets of content. I am lucky to do one haha. Hopefully you will enjoy this journey with me,
Thankyou Charlotte x
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