Hi Emma, it’s so great to meet you, talk us through…
The ethos behind The Well Worn.
The Well Worn is a combination of my three passions – dresses, vintage and UK production where I started my career. We recreate beautiful dresses in recycled fabrics and up-cycle classic vintage pieces. The dresses are designed and made one style at a time in our UK factories and we make only limited edition runs.
The inspo behind the name?
It was a play on clothes being worn well but each word also has significance
- The – a community of likeminded people
- Well – positive, sustainable, & fun
- Worn – well used, quality, vintage of the future
A day in the life of Emma.
This is really varied which I love. Most days start with either a jog or dog walk, checking my emails and getting the kids off to school. Then I can be out researching and sourcing at vintage markets, designing and up-cycling in the studio or visiting my factories. I try to make sure I finish at a reasonable time and unwind with a glass of vino!
You come from a fashion retail background, but is this your dream job?
I’d been working in the industry for 20 years and always dreamed of having my own brand but life, kids, mortgage gets in the way! But when I was on sabbatical, on the beach – with the sand between my toes, I reflected that life’s just too short – its now or never!
What is your favourite piece that you’ve upcycled?
It would have to be the first denim jacket that I did – its certainly not perfect but it helped me create my handwriting and the response gave me loads of confidence.
What advice would you give to other female led small businesses starting out?
Its still early days for me but I would say keep it simple, have confidence in yourself, make mistakes and if the idea won’t go away you should probably just do it.
Who or what are your inspirations?
Honestly it can come from anywhere, art, interiors, travel – but it’s probably vintage pieces that give me the biggest thrill.
Ultimate fashion muse?
Kate Moss
Who would be your dream client to make a piece for?
With my current crush on Ordinary People it would have to be Daisy Edgar-Jones
Thanks so much Emma