Sustainable Art- Belle Terrae- 33 Small Buisness Spotlight: Leigh Elizabeth Studios

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. and not want to throw away.

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 the way that they work is going to be more

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 makthat is more sustainable? Even if there is even a

ing 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. 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 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

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 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 And I think just seeing how quickly High Street

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

try and go somewhere where they use biodegradable packaging. I’m trying to be more mindful of that. I think for Christmas last year, I probably did a bit of half and half like okay, I did a bit of shopping on the high street and then some smaller, independent boutiques. But I think this year, I’m just going to try and do fully independent, because I know how important it is.

KT- I love that plan! So as a local small business, who also works with other small businesses. What would you say are the advantages of shopping small and locally versus shopping with bigger brands/on the high street?

LE- I think, like I said before, with shopping at small businesses, you know where things have come from. And I think that’s really important. A lot of people have full transparency as a small business, which you don’t get on the high street, you don’t know where their materials come from originally. And I think, yeah, you do know more so with small businesses, and I think they work with other small businesses, to get their materials and things. So I think it’s just supporting loads of people in lots of different ways. And I think as well, the packaging can be so nice and little, such as handwritten notes etc. I just think that’s a really nice touch, which you’re not gonna get anywhere else. And it’s just more personal. KT- Yeah, nice. I think, yeah, that’s a good way to describe it. It’s definitely more of a personal experience and more unique as well. So what are some of your top I know, you mentioned a couple of businesses earlier, but do you have any other small businesses that you can always go back to and you find that you’d like to let our readers know about? Are there any kind key ones?

LE- God, there’s just so many. Miss Vivian, she creates made to order lingerie and everything like that. I think it’s just amazing what she does. Also, there is a made to order

clothing brand called Grey Milk. They’re quite new, who I love too. I think there’s just so many I think there’s more and more coming up all the time. Especially with Instagram, there are just new shops all the time but it is really nice to find new places to shop. KT- Yeah, no, that’s sweet. And it’s nice, because then you can find new niches if you like, if you’re looking for something quite specific. So, what advice would you give to somebody who is trying to make that transition from shopping on the high street to shopping locally? Most of us don’t tend to begin our life shopping locally, it’s something that we’ve had to adjust to, I’d say in the more recent decade or so. Is there any kind of top tips or a piece of advice you’d give them? Or where to start?

LE- I think starting slowly is good. At least, like if you’re doing something that’s a step in the right direction, I think I mean, sometimes there’s still something from h&m or Zara that I really really like, and I can’t find anywhere else. So, if I really really like it, and I know I’m going to wear it a lot I will probably still buy it. Or I would try and get it second hand first. But I think even just making conscious choices, if you could get something similar locally. Could you make that choice instead? Or even if it is just a couple of things from independent businesses. I think just small steps in the right direction are really good, and even just looking into the backgrounds of high street brands and see if it is still something you want to put your money to. Yeah, just little steps will make a big difference for sure.

KT- Nice perfect. What is your favorite piece that you’ve made to date for Leigh Elizabeth Studios? (If you had to pick one) Have you got a piece that you really just love making? A hard question I know.

LE- I know. I love my Gigha bag in coral. That is the one on my website which has the scalloped edges, and the gold fleck handles. I just love that one so much. I’ve kept that sample for myself.

KT- I love it, yeah they are absolutely stunning. Definitely saving up for one myself. So our theme for this month’s issue. So every issue we have a different theme, an overarching theme. And our theme for this month is staycation. So do you like having a staycation? Is that some-

thing you enjoy doing from time to time? Or are you more of a travel the world or do you like a good balance?

LE- Definitely a bit of both. I used to just want to travel everywhere else until maybe a few years ago. We did the North Coast 500 last year. It’d be just over a year ago now, and I just thought it was sensational. So, we’ve definitely tried to do more staycations because it’s just amazing places you don’t even know exist in your own country. There’s beaches that you couldn’t even get if you go abroad. And it can be so cool, I think the Cairngorms as well, is one of my favorite places to go. Just for a little weekend away, definitely one of my favorites.

KT- I guess as well for you it might be a good way or for others, it might be a good way to try and find new business, small businesses too, because I suppose if somewhere is maybe not up to the trends of being on Instagram and stuff and just like a little local boutique or something like that. That’s a good way to shop locally, but still have a little bit of a more holiday experience, but it’s still local per se. Nice, perfect. So you said that Cairngorms is one of your favorite places to travel. Would you say that is your favourite staycation or was somewhere else your no 1 spot?

LE-I think, so far the Cairngorms. There’s so many more places I want to go and see so I made a little Pinterest board with everywhere I want to go but I definitely want to see more of the islands as well (when we can). That would be something amazing.

KT- Where is your next place that you’d like to staycation to what’s top of your list where the next when possible obviously, what’s the top of your list at the moment, do you know?

LE- Oh, I don’t know there’s so many I would love to go and do the North Coast 500 again. Maybe spend more time doing it because last time we did it, we probably only had three or four days so I think it would be nice to have longer.

You can find Leigh’s work on her website, or on her Instagram (@leighelizabethstudio)