Small Business Spotlight: Leigh Elizabeth Studio For This month’s issue our head editor, Kirsty, was lucky enough to interview the wonderfully creative and talented Leigh Elizabeth of Leigh Elizabeth Studios.
KT- So we’ll start off with quite a simple question. I’m sure you’ve been asked this question many times. What made you decide to start Leigh Elizabeth Studios? Where did the idea come from? LE- So I started just after I finished uni, about two years ago, and so I’d gone down to London to do New Designers. So it is where all graduates from that year going into their final degree shows, and I had this bag on display. That loads of people wanted to buy and they kept asking me the price and everything, and I had no idea. So, that kind of started the idea that I could make something out of it, as in start a business. I’d been working freelance throughout uni for a fast fashion print company, and I had planned to start doing that full time after I graduated. However, I was getting a little bit kind of fed up with turning out fast fashion prints, all the time, so just kind of wanted something I could throw myself into creatively. So I just sort of started my website. And then here we are. KT- I love that. So, we at Continue the Voice love how eco conscious your company is that something that’s super important to us. So through using natural recycled materials, and only making your products when ordered are some of the things that you do to be eco conscious, which is amazing. And I definitely think a lot of other companies could take a leaf out of your book. Why is this something that’s important to you why it’s important that you’re eco conscious in your business? LE- I think working in fashion makes me a lot more aware of the problems that are going on. And I think just seeing how quickly High Street brands turnover new collections, and they’re just throwing new stuff out there constantly. I think it’s just so wasteful. And I think as a small brand, I’m able to keep a cap on it and just be able to be sustainable. And I think if people know, the origins of where everything comes from, and 36
they know it’s made to order just for them. It’s a lot more special that they’ll want to hold on to, and it’s even something that they might want to save up for. It’s something they’re going to love and not want to throw away. KT- That’s amazing. Where are some of your favuorite eco conscious places that you like to shop? LE- I don’t know, I just love to find new ones on Instagram all the time. I think that’s a really good place to find new brands and it’s fairly easy to find out what they’re all about. So I think if they’ve got sustainability behind them, that definitely makes me want to shop with them. I think one of my favorite places to get clothes is Megan Crosby. She is based on Instagram, and makes everything to order. Some amazing stuff. And the brand called House of Sunny as well, I really like them. Then I think I just kind of like supporting smaller creatives anyway, because the way that they work is going to be more sustainable. So definitely try and shop that way over the high street where I can, because it’s nice as well. KT- Nice, Perfect. So I guess leading on from that question, outside of your work. Do you have any other eco conscious routines or habits that you try and implement into your daily life? Not necessarily your daily life? Maybe something that you do more annually? Maybe there’s a way that you do Christmas presents that is more sustainable? Even if there is even a tip you could give for people that are trying to be more sustainable? LE- I try my best, I know it’s hard, but I think I just try and recycle where I can and I will take a reusable bag when I go shopping. Even using Lidl’s reusable produce bags. Coffee cups if I’m getting a takeaway coffee I’ll try and take my own, I know that’s not as easy just now or just
