chic little baby update

Thanks to Maggie at Chic Little Baby for featuring my latest designs for boys and girls up to 8-9 years including my Finley Oskar long-sleeved boy's shirt.  I'm very flattered as Maggie's not just a top blogger but also a top fashion journalist who's worked for Vogue.  She's now the Associate Shopping & Style editor of Time Out magazine, London. Keep an eye on her blog for next month's competition for your choice to win a Peak Prince Liberty print shirt or Peak Princess winter smock frock.

I could do that!

One of the best things about starting my own business has been discovering the wealth of help and support that's out there.

Two key people helped me out in the very early days.  One was Sue Scholes from our local Business Link.  She listened to my plans, made sensible suggestions and was a mine of information about the nitty gritty like Trading Standards.  Regular meetings with her kept me focused and a free marketing course was the source of inspiration for my tagline ...with love sewn in.  My google ranking jumped to page one after I learned the dark arts of Search Engine Optimisation at another of their free courses.  They've just published an interview with me in their quarterly Business Connect magazine.

Another was Emma Jones at Enterprise Nation.  I was totally intimidated by business advice books by Dragons and other city big shots.  Emma's 'Spare Room Start Up' was a breath of fresh air.  Down to earth & full of common sense.  I read it in one sitting (a late night!), took her advice and emailed her.  She kindly interviewed me and posted it on the brilliant Enterprise Nation website.  It was one of my first pieces of PR and a huge confidence boost.  They've just done an updated interview with me (Lissa's Story - I could do that!).

But undoubtedly the biggest source of help and support has been friends and family.  Mum's become my design consultant and quality controller, my in-laws are my graphic design team, my sister-in-law put me in touch with Liberty of London and is always at hand for astute advice on pricing, my older sister taught me to take half-decent photos, my younger sister's retail eye rescued my branding and I've now lost count of all the forebearing friends who've let me use their children for modeling and fitting sessions.  Suffice to say, the biggest thanks has to go to little Tilly Toadstool - my god-daughter.  Without her there would be no Peak Princess.

bye bye Mark

I've just cut this 'Anya Rose' denim shift with Liberty 'Mark' print lining and pleat and realised I only have a metre of Mark left.  How sad.  Mark has a special place in my heart. 

 It was one of my original collection prints and this is the dress that Sunday Times Style magazine featured.  All good things have to come to an end.  So goodbye Mark and hello Felicite, Pep, Lou Lou Isabella, Toria.  (Click here to see the full range of my prints).

couture cock-ups

Sometimes you just can't figure something out - no matter how blindingly obvious.

I've just spent two days trying to figure out how to put a simple welt pocket on my new 'Hugo Alexander' Liberty lined boy's denim jacket - those lovely tailored pocket openings with hidden interiors. 

Yesterday I gave up and called Mum.  She was a couture designer and has the added advantage of being a very modern mother who lives in the centre of London and loves email & texting.  I sent a pic taken on my mobile of my total cock-up.

PS In case you're wondering it helps if you sew the welt fabric on the right side and don't cut a letter box sized hole twice as wide as you were meant to!!

PPS In my defence I did figure out how to make a lovely placket cuff for my new 'Finley Oskar' Liberty print long-sleeve boy's shirt.