Attire Accessories - Seo/Oct 2019 (Issue 78)

UP AND COMING 105 Sara Miller talks about the company’s steep rise to the top since its beginning in 2016 and how an expansion into jewellery and fashion accessories was the next step for the giftware brand THE ONLY WAY IS up Tell me a bit about how the label was started. I had a vision to launch a design-led brand for women who love colour and print who want to be surprised by their accessories and who celebrate the fun of life, friendship and shopping. I imagined our customer to be someone who enjoys tea and cake and travel, a person who always looks for the silver (or pink!) lining no matter the situation and who wants to stand out from the crowd. On a personal level, I have always been inspired by my adventures around the globe. I visited India for the first time a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with the country. From the decorative henna work to the embellished textiles and intricate craftsmanship in palaces of Jaipur, these sights have been imprinted on my memory and have been a huge source of inspiration in my work. I love exploring and always strive to capture a piece of this magic when I am back designing in my London studio. How were the initial products developed, and what was the response? After eight years working as a greeting card designer, I decided it was time to take the plunge and set up on my own. I secured the last stand at the world- renowned Surtex exhibition in New York just three weeks before the show began. I worked day and