By Kate Schembri
GC4W is so excited to announce that we are carrying cate brown on our newly launched GC4W Marketplace. We started a new campaign this month to encourage our community to #shopsmall and support female entrepreneurs when doing your holiday shopping this season.
cate brown creates sustainably sourced, hand selected, objects of finery. Individuality is said to be the highest level of luxury, and they believe that beauty is found in the stories that our choices tell. That’s why at cate brown, they seek to offer alternatives to the fast-fashion approach to homewares and celebrate reclaimed luxury craft. (Source)
We sat down with founder Cate Brown about her collections, her entrepreneurship journey, her motivations, and more!
1. What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired to start my business because of my love of fine vintage textiles in the fashion world that had fallen out of ‘fashion favor’ but were still luxuriously beautiful in their textile craftsmanship, refinement and incredible details. They lend themselves so well to the interiors textile world that I work in (trust me it needed a shake up – interiors fabrics can be very cookie-cutter and dull) and what better way to save these garments from a possible land-fill as these are end-cycle, slightly flawed, irregular or simply silhouette styles that are no longer on wearing trend) They are one of a kind hand-crafted pieces of art that spot-light the heritage and history of the high fashion brand textiles. Our cate brown Atelier line has decadent toss pillows made from vintage Chanel, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Fendi and many other luxury heritage fashion houses.
Sustainable luxury without compromise. For the environmentally conscious fashionista’s home. The planet will thank you xo
2. What can you share about the products you create and/or sell?
They are mindfully hand-made and every detail of the garment is taken into account for the creation of the toss pillow. This is what makes each pillow a one of a kind creation and like a piece of art. They can be as subtle or as bold as you dare. Like fashion itself, there’s something for everyone’s style and it’s a great way to bring something special and unique into your home design.
3. What do you love most about working with customers?
I love their feedback about the brand and the concept and hearing their personal stories of sustainability and desire to see less textile waste. I also love hearing about their fashion style and their favorite heritage fashion houses.
4. What motivated you to sell on the GC4W marketplace?
I love the concept of being part of a marketplace that is about helping female entrepreneurs trying to do some good in the world, especially at a time when we really need.
5. What advice do you have for an aspiring entrepreneur or small business owner?
Don’t measure the success of your brand with revenue in the first few years. Be sure to celebrate the little milestones. Remember to give yourself credit. And whenever you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath and reflect on why you chose this journey in the first place. Network. Network. Network.
