Attire Accessories - Mar/Apr 2019 (Issue 75)

PROFILE 65 ALICE ACREMAN SILKS T: +44 (0)7932 090 861 W: aliceacremansilks.com @alice_acreman_silks What trade shows do you attend? So far, Top Drawer has been very successful for my business. I’m also planning to attend Spirit of Summer and find craft shows to be great for my brand, as the handmade pieces appeal to people looking to find something a bit unusual. When was the website launched, and how does it support the business? I aimed to create a place to shop the collections as well as provide more information and imagery regarding the inspiration behind the artwork. As the products are so visual, it’s important to have somewhere they can be viewed in images. What have been the key milestones in the business? In 2017, I introduced the vegan suede cushion collection, which was an exciting new product and has since proved to be very successful. Adding the National Portrait Gallery to my stockist list was a great moment. I recently organised a photo shoot with a team of seven people, which felt like another marker of success. I was very proud of what we achieved together and am excited to push it further next time I do a shoot. How do you view the current market, and what trends – in both product and business – do you see emerging over the coming months? I’m going to be supporting charities even more, and I predict that ethical brands are coming to the forefront. Slow fashion is something I really believe in, so I hope others follow suit and begin to take the damaging effects of the industry seriously. What are your future plans for the business? I’m excited to launch a kimono as part of the Enticement collection and have plans to branch out into men’s accessories, which is very exciting. I am also looking at creating some outdoor homeware – it is going to be really amazing when it all comes together. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Alice Acreman Silks is inspired by nature, science and myths. Using hand-crafted techniques, including watercolour painting, sketching and collage, I create original artwork that is then printed digitally on to the fabric. I love the flawless effect of digital printing, but I also choose it as it is the least harmful method of printing regarding its environmental impact. All my designs are placed prints rather than repeat patterns, so ink is never used unnecessarily. Once an order has been placed, I recycle any packaging I get from my suppliers in order to be as gentle on the environment as possible. I plan to keep developing ways to make my business more sustainable as I truly believe in looking after our planet.