WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR BRAND?

I was drawing a teacup and saucer one day whilst working as a designer in Sydney, Australia. This simple illustration took me back to the familiar comforts of home in a flash. I then began sketching a collection of designs that encapsulated the spirit of "good-old Blighty." When I returned home to the UK in 2011, I hand-printed the designs onto tea towels and t-shirts and started selling them on a chilly market stall in Spitalfields, London, laying the foundation for what would become Victoria Eggs.

WHAT ARE THE VALUES THAT DEFINE YOUR BRAND?

All our products are lovingly handmade in the UK using the finest British craftsmanship, sustainable practices and ethical supply chains. My aim is to capture the essence of British culture and produce products that will be treasured for years to come. We are a small business and our customers have always been at the very heart of it. We are dedicated to providing the best possible customer service experience and really value our customers' opinions and feedback.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST MOTIVATION BEHIND YOUR BRAND

All our products are snapshots of special moments in time we wish to cherish forever and gift to those we love most. I am inspired by all things British. These whimsical illustrations feature quirky colloquialisms, famous landmarks, the beloved Royal family, and the vibrant essence of London itself.

WHERE DID THE INSPIRATION FROM YOUR PRODUCTS COME FROM?

The inspiration behind my brand is born from Great-British moments; exploring hedgerows and blackberry picking as a child, the nostalgic whiff of salt and vinegar-y chips at the seaside, quirky colloquialisms, the vibrant essence of London itself and the wonder that fills the air at Christmas. We’re as British as the cuppa!

CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT A MEMORABLE MOMENT SINCE STARTING YOUR BRAND?

There have been many, but one in-particular stands out from the last year. I was honored to be asked to design a bespoke collection for the iconic Abbey Road Studios:

I first visited Abbey Road Studios aged just 4 years old and grew up in a house where music filled the rooms… the sounds of The Beetles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Eric Clapton. Music was, and continues to be, a huge part of my life. Last October I visited Abbey Road to get inspiration for a bespoke collection and a few months ago, 36 years after my first visit, I took my four year old daughter to visit Abbey Road for the first time. It was such a proud moment for me to see the bespoke collection, not only on the shelves, but with a complete store takeover with the illustrations adorned around the shop.

It’s been one of the most interesting designs I’ve ever had the pleasure of creating, a Christmas design which includes an Easter Egg hunt about the Studio’s incredible history.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO BUSINESS OWNERS, CREATORS, DESIGNERS, AND BRAND OWNERS JUST STARTING OUT?

Simon Sinek’s famous quote: “People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it” has always stuck with me. When starting your business, it is vital to remember why you do what you do and invest in telling your story. Customers engage with the stories behind the designs and the personal connections each product can create. Your personal brand is something everyone can connect with and transcends physical products. 

WILL YOU BE LAUNCHING ANY NEW COLLECTIONS, AND IF SO, CAN YOU GIVE US A SNEAK PEEK?

We are very excited to be launching two exciting new collections at Top Drawer SS24; Royal Family and Twelve Days of Christmas.

The Royal Family collection is an intricately hand-drawn design that gazes upon the grounds of Buckingham Palace, as the family go about their daily lives. The fairytale tree represents the unique characteristics of each member. Available on a tea towel, mug, bauble, canvas bag, postcard and magnet.

The 12 Days of Christmas collection, inspired by the English Christmas carol, features a traditional wreath, adorned with tiny delights to celebrate each magical day of the season. Available on a tea towel, mug, jug, candle, bauble, napkin, table runner, bag, card, magnet, wooden decoration and coaster. Both designs are proudly made in the UK.

HOW DOES YOUR BRAND PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY?

Every Victoria Eggs product is lovingly made in the UK using the finest British craftsmanship, resulting in a beautiful blend of heritage and contemporary design. From the Cornish clay that creates the fine bone china for our ceramics, to the 100% cotton textiles which are printed using environmentally safe water-based inks. We pride ourselves on working closely with manufacturers who use sustainable materials and processes.

Our ceramics are handcrafted from Cornish Clay in Staffordshire. The clay that is used to make the fine bone china comes from St. Austell, Cornwall, and one of the key elements to making the bone china super strong is with bone ash. This ash is recycled from a local butchery that would ordinarily go to landfill. Instead, it's used in the crafting process. To ensure as little waste as possible during this process, any mugs created which don't meet our exact standards (we're looking for absolute perfection here!), are then sent to a local tile company, who reuse and recycle the clay.

We use ethically sourced traceable cotton for our textiles. We can trace all our fabrics back to where the yarn is sourced, processed, spun and woven. They are printed with environmentally friendly water-based inks and the products are fully recyclable. Like with all our products we use minimal packaging, made from paper or card which can be easily recycled.