I'm so glad you're here.
I wanted to take a minute to thank you for joining this wonderful online community of women, fashion enthusiasts and mindful consumers.
It's been 6 months since launching, and while I've introduced myself on socials and dappled in my "why" for this label, I haven't yet taken a moment to tell you my story; the honest, black and white version of "Clare".
And maybe learning about your founder isn't of interest to you, but perhaps by knowing, you'll appreciate why this brand means something to me, and why it might matter to you.
I used to work in the creative industry in a Customer Service Management role. I loved it. To me, understanding your customers, listening to their story, and being a part of their discovery in a beautiful product was an amazing feeling. "Work" became a pleasure, which I feel lucky to say.. I'll also confess, working in a dreamy waterfront studio surrounded by like-minded, creative and kind people, who believed in what they were doing just as much as I did, also helped!
I genuinely loved representing a brand that respected the bigger picture of what they were doing. Owning a retail business is no walk in the park. For them, nothing was rushed. Nothing was taken for granted. The process and planning was fundamental to their success. Mistakes were made, but so much beauty and appreciation grew from those lessons now learned.
I was one of four people in the company when I joined, so I had the privilege of seeing a family-owned business grow from the roots up. During my time there, a seed was planted in my mind about starting something just has worthy one day (no pun intended!).
They weren't just creating a disposable product for people to buy and wear once. They were establishing a culture around story-telling; crafting treasures that symbolised life's non-linear journey. This is excited me. I shared that same passion for creating something that had the power to make people feel and wear something they valued - not in the monetary sense - but, in a uniquely personal way. Quite often, my customers didn't care so much about the 'cost'. They just wanted that perfect heirloom to keep, share and trust with their memories.
So when I left this job and my coastal life in Sydney, I felt a little apprehensive about my future and where to begin. I had the best start and blue print to launch something of my own, but was it the right timing? Did people want what I had to share? Was my own desire saturating the need for yet another label?
It took a tree change to the Southern Highlands in NSW, Australia, with my husband, two year old daughter, and the birth of my second baby girl, that triggered my urge to start. I wanted to re-create that feeling that I once had, and set up a label for women to have more conversations about their story and encourage a future with better considered fashion choices.
Feeling brave, WOVIEN was born.
So what now? ... Well, I am 36 years old, I have a great husband who works in the commercial construction industry in Sydney, two daughters, now 2 and 5 years, a beautiful home (which we're currently renovating - send help!), and a genuine love of where I live and the slower pace of life the countryside lends. I'm very fortunate.
My first 'drop' of outerwear, including four unique colour-way quilted jackets is now LIVE, and I'm beyond excited to spend the next few months sharing this first drop to spread the word of WOVIEN.
Without you, this label would not be possible. Without my past experience working for a brand I genuinely respected, I would not be where I am now, writing this email to those who share my desire in creating something worth valuing.
Thank you for your ongoing support and believing in my journey so far.