Pretty In Pink

As any woman will tell you, it’s the accessories that often make the outfit. Poppy Watt’s recent introduction to Charlotte Pearl and the Pink Lining Company has convinced her that this is one designer who is worth shouting about.

We all dream, have great ideas, speculate and wonder about what if, but how many of us actually put those actual thoughts into action?

As a result of a challenge by her husband Rufus, Charlotte Pearl designed and created the first Pink Lining handbag when she couldn't find the perfect one to suit a special event.

Pink Lining was established in 2001. The range has now expanded to include changing bags and nursery accessories. The latest addition is the exciting new range of baby and children’s wear launching at the end of 2008. All this and Charlotte is a mother of 3 children under 5 herself!!

Charlotte developed her fashion insight working in Fashion PR and then at Condé Nast. It was when she was working at Vogue House that Charlotte made herself a handbag to wear to a party which lead to a number of commissions. She borrowed a sewing machine and set to work designing and sewing personalised bags for friends in her basement flat in Notting Hill, London.

Soon after, she sent a few designs to Harrods and the buyer there fell in love with them and made a very unusual mid-season order for what became her first collection in 2002.

Charlotte’s designs were so successful that sell-through was over 90% in the first couple of days and a reorder was placed in week one.

In order to develop her company and increase her business acumen, Charlotte enrolled at the Portobello Business School where her teacher David Jones later became her mentor.

Her designs have been sought by many major industry movers via collaborations between them and the Pink Lining label. Thomas Pink commissioned Charlotte to design limited edition exclusive Pink Lining handbags to celebrate the Thomas Pink Cheltenham Gold Cup and “Lipstick on your collar” in aid of the Haven Trust.

Charlotte also designed a handbag for the Breast Cancer Campaign. The very last limited edition handbag was auctioned on femail.com, breaking the record for the greatest number of bids for a single item.

Isetan, the leading department store in Japan also commissioned Charlotte to create an exclusive selection of Pink Lining bags which were retailed in-store.

Charlotte started designing her own fabrics for the Spring/Summer 2006 collection, creating an added element of exclusivity to the bags.

Drawing on personal needs when she was pregnant, and seeing a gap in the market, Charlotte started designing fashionable yet functional Mother’s Bags which have fast become one of the label’s best-sellers.

Charlotte’s tips for working mums:

• Realise that running your own business means you will probably work more hours, not fewer. However, being your own boss allows you to be flexible.
• Working when the kids are asleep gives you all-important quiet time to complete tasks.
• Don’t feel guilty. Enjoy and make the most of the time you have, either at work or with the children.
• Find good childcare. Having someone you trust to look after the children when an important meeting comes up is essential, whether that’s a family member, child-minder or nursery.
• Try to meet with other working mums for moral support. It helps if you can share any business or personal worries and success with friends in a similar situation. A local business group or women’s business network may help to put you in touch with people.

Charlotte’s final tip is to always keep champagne in the office to celebrate the good times with your team.

I feel Charlotte is an inspiration to us all. As a wife and mother with a young family nothing has stopped her reaching and even exceeding her goals.

For more information on Charlotte or her company visit her website at www.pinklining.co.uk

Poppy Watt

The competition to win a Pink Lining Yummy Mummy bag is now closed.
Click to see the previous free prize draw winners

Note: PinkLining are offering a 20% discount on purchases made on-line for a month 9th March - 9th April.
By using the promotional code WT09 when ordering allows readers to apply the discount at the point of purchase.