Growing up in a working class home with very little disposable income for the latest fashion items, I discovered my love of vintage. I found myself frequenting charity shops, rummaging for unique timeless treasures and some of which I still own today!

After many years in a very professional HR career, and the birth of my son(now 17 YIKES), I opened my first shop. You guessed it, full of vintage one off creations.  Being an absolute business novice, I soon found myself quite disheartened by the whole process and with no finances or idea on marketing, I couldn’t help but wonder why customers weren’t flocking to own their own unique timeless wardrobe piece. Didn’t factor in that low rent equals low footfall.

It was back to the corporate world for a few years for me but still frequenting charity, vintage and jumble sales for my own desire to be sustainable, stylish and not a follower of throwaway fashion. 

Following a 4 month trip around NZ in a camper van with my then 2 year old and returning to the UK without employment, I decided it was time to throw myself into a lifelong dream to open a shop housing other creatives.. This shop (Bird's Yard) opened in 2010 and supported many other designers that had always, like myself had aspirations of having a shop but with no idea where to start or the finances to go for it. I had already tried and failed once and learnt many things in that process. This shop is still thriving today in Sheffield and a proud owner of multiple awards. 

I had my vintage area in Bird's Yard and always sold Kimono.  I was so drawn to their stunning materials and vibrant patterns, they were actual wearable pieces of art .  

Now whilst vowing to never touch a vintage garment to make it "current" (ok I removed a few shoulder pads), I had long kimono that had been with me many years and never sold even though they were truly stunning.  I had a couple shortened and reworked for my own wardrobe and at many a Summer festival that year, I had so many people asking where they might purchase such a garment, I realised there was a big market out there. Though it meant tinkering with these Kimono, I settled my conscience with the knowledge that I had attempted to sell these long ones for so many years and now they would be given new life and once again adored and saved from landfill. I also discussed it with many Japanese and traders who explained that younger generation want to wear the western clothes and without the interest from overseas then then they would remain in storage and ultimately disposed of.

That was over three years ago now and that is because of a mental illness diagnosis and sadly suffering the loss of a brother to the same illness.  This is one area Kimonooh will heavily be in support of alongside sustainability to help much urgent needed care of our precious planet .  

Over the 3 years I still bought and redesigned 100's of vintage garments varying from high end reworks to day wear casuals.

I hope, like myself, you get as much pleasure and adoration for your new to you garment, and not just now but forever - style is eternal