Interview with young success @rosesoldesigns

Illustration by @giana.illustrates on instagram.

Rosesoldesigns is a sustainable fashion brand run by Leeds University graduate, Sol. Since starting her business officially in 2020 after her designs grew popular, her small business has grown hugely and she's only just getting started! I'm always inspired by young entrepreneurs so I was really grateful for this interview and I hope it inspires you too!

What made you start your business?

I started my Instagram account as just a creative space for me to post pieces I’ve made / fashion inspo. I never intended for it to become a business as such! During my final year at university I was the stylist for a huge uni fashion show and showcased some of my own designs in my scene and it was actually one of my models modelling my tops in the show who pushed me to make an Instagram account! It then grew unexpectedly and it wasn’t till summer 2020 that I considered it as a business!

What is your biggest inspiration for your designs?

Ooh so many things; from my own fashion, to funky festival fashion, 2000s, Japanese street fashion, i love Dua Lipa’s stylist Lorenzo Posocco’s fashion choices for her so much, classic girly movies like clueless, music, art and lots of random inspo on Pinterest!

How has the pandemic effected your business?

I try to look at the positives of how it has affected my business; being furloughed from my previous job allowed me to actually have time to design and make pieces which I’ve never been able to do before. I’ve been able to be super creative and put all my efforts into my business which wouldn’t be possible whilst working my hospitality job. I also think because high street shops are shut more people are looking to spend money online and it seems way more people are open to “shopping small”. The negatives would be being unable to shoot content with models, friends etc

How important is sustainability to you?

Sustainability is one of the most important factors in my business. It’s so important to highlight environmental issues with your business and try to educate followers / consumers as to why shopping small and sustainably can be so affective. I ensure all my packaging is 100% recyclable from business cards, to posters, to the envelopes they come in. Furthermore, I try and use recycled materials wherever I can and I’m proud to say that approximate 70% of my materials are recycled! This comes from huge bags of clothing friends/ families / neighbours constantly supply me with, finding old clothes (even curtains) have with cool patterns on ebay. I can’t wait for charity shops to open as that’s where I get my best pieces!

How did you start selling your designs?

I started off by casually making zip scrunchies for my close friends in Leeds. These were just fun scrunchies for nights out for storing keys etc because me and my friends never carried handbags on nights out ... not sure why! They then became super popular in Leeds and I started making them to order and post across the Uk and over seas. I then branded in headscarf’s towards the summer, bags, then tops and bucket hats around winter time.

How’ve you built up your following?

I’m honestly not sure I’ve just been super consistent with posts, tried to keep to an aesthetic feed that matches my brand image. Engaging with followers and fellow small business owners and collaborating with influencers to help grow my page!

What’s been the biggest challenge for you so far?

Comparing myself to super successful small businesses is something in struggle with daily and it’s super hard to shake out of!

What’s been your biggest success so far?

I was super proud of having my own shop on ASOS market place but I decided to launch my own website instead due to ASOS’s ridiculous selling fees! I’d say selling out of products 30 mins after they’ve launched, having an incredibly successful Boxing Day sale, featuring in ‘width’ magazine and a soon collaboration with a Samira Mighty!

What’s the next step for your business?

I’ve worked super hard in creating my own fabric design (drawing it from scratch) which means it will be super unique to me and my brand. I can’t wait to make designs in them and see people actually wear them!

Shop more small sustainable brands, follow Sol on Instagram @rosesoldesigns or check out her website: https://rosesoldesigns.com