On Wednesday the 8th of March we’ll be celebrating International Women’s Day. This year the theme is a “call on the masses or call on yourself to help forge a better working world – a more gender inclusive world.”
“Each one of us – with women, men and non-binary people joining forces – can be a leader within our own spheres of influence by taking bold pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. Through purposeful collaboration, we can help women advance and unleash the limitless potential offered to economies the world over.”
Over the years at Cyclechic, we have seen some of our suppliers grow from a kitchen table corner to a fully functioning business. It’s always amazing, and it gives us a great pleasure to get to know them and be a part of their adventure. As it happens, most of these businesses were started by women so if you’ll indulge us we’d like to use International Women’s Day as a reason to celebrate them over the coming week.
#BeBoldForChange
First up, Joyce Bereton with her aptly named business: As Bold As.
Joyce came to see us a year ago with a baby in her tummy and bunch of prototypes of really cool jackets. We look at thousands of jacket each year, and they’re all pretty samey. Joyce’s lived up to their name and really stood out, and we knew we had to take her range on board.
She says: “Cycling gives me that switch-off, sense of freedom and buzz all at the same time. My bike is my little pocket of calm or adrenaline, depending on my mood.I’d always had an itch to start a business but finding the confidence and an idea that resonated took time. It was riding in and out of work looking at queues of builder’s high-viz vests and thought “there has to be a better way”. I needed clothing that would bring me through my day, from journey to destination: and so As Bold As was born. Now I’m one year in and taking a moment to stop (for 3 minutes max), look back and give myself a pat on the back.”
It feels like Fifi’s designs have been part of our range for ever. Designing for Bobbin to start with and eventually under her own name, her capes have a timeless feel and are considered a Cyclechic classic, and we love her reflective sashes and bags too!
She says: “All our products are designed, developed and hand made at Sugarhouse studios in London’s East End. We proudly use the finest waterproof wax cotton, made in the north of England by British Millerain, a family owned business with nearly 200 years of expertise, in developing and weaving their own fabrics. Choosing wax cotton enables you to re wax the fabric, unlike wax coated it allows the fabric to breathe and after years of use the fabric will soften, age beautifully yet stay as efficient to protect you from the elements. The Italian bridle leather is tough and strong but just as the wax cotton fabric it will soften and develop a beautiful patina over the years, all the hardware is nickel and rust free, and sourced in London.”
More stories tomorrow!
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