We chat to the lovely Sophie Bentham, founder of My Lux Boutique – your one stop shop for fine jewellery and accessories.
Your background is in fashion and accessories. What encouraged you to launch your own business?
From a young age I learnt that it’s pretty cool to be your own boss. My Dad started his own business when he was 19 and never let me forget it! So at 25 I thought it was probably time.
I knew I had to get some good experience, which I was lucky enough to do through some amazing fashion buying roles. Then most recently with an owner of a successful online fashion site, who threw me in at the deep end and taught me the ropes.
What was the inspiration behind launching My Lux Boutique?
Jewellery and accessories have always been an obsession for me, everywhere I go I pick up trinkets along the way (my bedroom is an Aladdin’s Cave!) So I knew I had to do my business in this sector. I also always felt limited by the choice of accessories out there so I wanted to create a one-stop-shop of carefully selected, lust-worthy items from cool emerging designers.
Can you tell our readers about the buying process for My Lux Boutique? What brands can we expect to see?
My Lux Boutique works on a drop-ship basis, meaning we don’t physically buy the stock. This is a big plus because it means we have more freedom to play around with unusual brands, or take selective pieces rather than whole collections which you can sometimes be obliged to do when buying in the traditional wholesale method. It essentially means that we have a truly boutique-style curated collection of accessories.
We are constantly collaborating with new and exciting designers. This season we are getting ready for the heat and have started to introduce loads of amazing jewellery, straw beach bags & accessories for the perfect summer boho look.
Who is the My Lux Boutique shopper?
Our core customer is a fashion lover however is not your standard fad-trend follower. We like to think of her as a woman who knows her own style but enjoys finding unique and well-styled accessories that feel special and one-of-a-kind. She wants to find accessories that people stop and ask her about. If she can wear a brand not many people know about yet, even better!
With Fashion Week recently behind us. What jewellery trends can we expect to see emerging for AW16?
We have really noticed some strong jewellery looks on the catwalk, which is always fun to see. In MLB HQ we are loving really ornate and OTT jewels – see our brands Krystal and Latelita. Also absolutely obsessed with Anya Hindmarch inspired slogan graphic clutch bags. We’ve got some great new designs in from House of Cases. Read all about it in our recent blog-post!
Where can you see My Lux Boutique in 5 years?
We are just a baby in the market right now as we are so new, however I would love to see MLB established as an online shopping destination to find great jewellery and accessories. To offer people goods which feel personally curated and unique compared to the standard high street or overpriced designer label offering.
Do you have any tips for our readers who want to launch their own business?
Research your market, have some achievable goals in place, always make good use of your contacts and double your initial budget!
What top tips do you have for our readers who are accessories shy?
Go for subtle but chic style staples which won’t go out of fashion. Layering delicate but feminine chain necklaces or stacking pieces such as bangles or rings are always a winner for me. You can achieve a mega-expensive look for a very reasonable price. See Lucky eyes, Alexandra Lyng & Worm Child for examples on My Lux Boutique.
What’s an average day like, if there is one?
I’m more of a night owl than an early bird so after I’ve grabbed the essential morning coffee and walked to our Shoreditch office, I will get in at around 9.30am.
We usually have a quick chat first thing and set out the goals for the day in order of urgency. This tends to be about new brands to the site, orders or press requests. My role generally involves brainstorming new ideas for the site, how we can generate traffic and of course buying and finding new great brands to join the site. Now we have loads of brands approaching us, which is fab!
When you are not working what do you like to do to unwind?
Regular exercise, good wine and travelling are all essential for me to stay sane. My boyfriend is French and an absolute God in the kitchen, which is a life-saver for me! Aside from that I grew up in Switzerland so I head back to ski or to St Tropez to visit my family as much as I possibly can.
Describe your style in a sentence?
Classic cuts, which look smart but fun. Always, always comfortable!
I dread feeling over-dressed! My secret is keep the clothes simple and accessorise with eye-catching jewels & bags.
Who are your favourite designers?
I’m a big fan of Isabel Marant, Joseph, Kenzo (love zara for high-street) because they are so great for an effortless yet comfortable look. My favourites on the runway are always Chloe for dreamy flowing dresses, Balmain for statement leathers and structured jackets and Courreges for always keeping it real.
What are your favourite places to eat/drink/shop across London?
Oh my god where to start?
In East – Boundary Roof-top or Shoreditch House if its sunny, Brawn restaurant off Columbia Road for amazingly naughty plates of Pâté & rillets. Calloh Callay for yummy cocktails.
For the best French food in London plus the obligatory surly waiters; its La Poule au Pot in Chelsea, also super dark and romantic!
To complete the night, Bob Bob Ricard, Annabelle’s & The Box for dancing are always winners!
For great drinks my friends new bar (Bermondsey Arts Club) which is in old abandoned public toilets, is where all the cool kids hangout 😉
Weirdly I tend not to shop in London too much… Get me near a good French boutique though, and I am in danger of going a little crazy!
What’s your motto?
I’m the worst at being over critical of myself or having confidence crisis’s so mine would have to be:
Life’s too short to punish yourself. Fall in love, worry less, live more and always say yes to the unknown.