BRAND NAME: Billy Loves Audrey
DESIGNER/FOUNDER: Penny van Schaik is the founder. Designer is Fleur Harris
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS:
Billy Loves Audrey is a new kid on the block, with one year under the belt.
DESCRIBE BILLY LOVES AUDREY IN 3 WORDS:
Whimsical. Innocent. Adventurous
WHAT DROVE YOU TO START A KIDS ACCESSORY BRAND?
Billy Loves Audrey was one of those light bulb moments, after a few years
travelling. There was a gap in the market to return to childhood innocence, to
create a world of whimsy and fun, using woodland creatures in little accessories
starting with socks and hats, moving quickly on with the most adorable tights
and hair accessories.
HOW DID YOU COME TO COLLABORATE WITH ARTIST FLEUR HARRIS?
Serendipity was a large part of meeting Fleur Harris. Incredibly I knew exactly the tone and look of the design style for Billy Loves Audrey, which Fleur has in spades. She had worked for a brand who I was associated with in a past life and “ping” once I discovered her talent that was it.
YOU HAVE GROWN YOUR BUSINESS WITH A BANG! TELL US HOW YOUR
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION IS GOING WITH EXHIBITING AT PLAYTIME PARIS?
Such an exciting brand to play with, and to see it grow at such an incredible rate
via word of mouth, social media has been such a joy. Presenting at Playtime
Paris has been a wonderful experience resulting in Billy Loves Audrey now in the
Congo, Belgium, UK, France, The Netherlands, California and even Caribbean.
(We think there’s a store review to be done!)
THE KIDS CLOTHING/ACCESSORY MARKET HAS EXPLODED. WHAT DO YOU
PUT THIS DOWN TOO?
Kids Rule. Parents and Grandparents love to buy cute and adorable accessories
for their little ones and it doesn’t need to be big ticket items, it can be the pair of
socks for under $20 that will bring a smile to everyone’s face.
WHAT'S YOUR BACKGROUND?
Fashion and Retail Marketing in Melbourne with the likes of Country Road and
London features throughout my career, while more recently I was a co-owner of
a boutique homeware brand which we developed and sold in 2014.
TELL US WHAT'S NEXT?
Currently writing this at Paris Airport on the way home, so next is to present the
new SS17 Collection in Melbourne with our agent Hello Rain. Our new Hair Accessories “took off” in Paris and there’s no shortage of pink, sparkles and glitter. Midi length socks for Spring is a new addition to our sock range with a Ballet theme including Swan Lake, Dancer Cat, Panda, Deer and the ever favourite Bunny characters.
An great indication of its popularity is that most European stores are showing the new range for Christmas rather than waiting for the new SS18 season. We are working on an interesting new collaboration and developing Billy Loves Audrey woodland characters into animals with heart and soul. Always exciting and loads of fun.