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DOWSE Design – an insight into the motivations of an independent retailer

DOWSE shop front

DOWSE shop front
Image: DOWSE Design

People open shops for all sorts of reasons.  Making money is an obvious one, but in my experience this is not the main motivational factor for independent retailers.

During my research for this blog series I have been privileged to be given an insight into what really motivates some of the independent retailers in Brighton and Hove. Today’s feature focuses on those motivations and how they feed into the very soul of an independent business.

Profile picture of Susannah Dowse

Susannah Dowse

Susannah of DOWSE is a great example of someone who puts their money where their mouth is.  Unashamedly supportive of buying local, giving ethical principles higher priority than pure profit in her purchasing decisions.  This is a design business which recognises that no matter how beautiful something is, purchasing an item made at the expense of another person’s well being leaves rather a sour taste in the mouth.

This might lead you to the conclusion that in imposing such strict purchasing criteria Susannah has had to make compromises on the quality of her product offering. Far from it. In fact her Brighton based shop offers a richness and diversity of products that will have customers beating a path to her door.

I love the statement that DOWSE is “Part of a movement across the country that appreciates the value of well made and distinctive products made by individuals over chain shops and mass manufacturing, DOWSE makes it easy to make the world look better and be better.”

Keen to know more I asked Susannah why source locally and why a high street in Brighton? I’m sure you’ll agree her answers are fascinating….

Susannah’s goal for DOWSE is “to enhance people’s belief in and value of British design and manufacturing and show that it can be affordable, that buying locally is good in the creative industries as well produce such as food.”

“I’d always thought a destination to find special things was important in every town. Brighton has lots of amazing shops but mainly sourcing from elsewhere, i.e. China. I wanted a shop that was supporting local and British designers and manufacturers. Choosing the best from what’s made locally. I believe that quality affordable design is being made in this country and we should support the people making it. Often these designers are the ones copied by the high street and the items then manufactured in China. The money should be in the designers pockets not some factory owner of conglomerate’s share holders.

Two of Susannah Dowse tiny geometry necklaces

Some of Susannah’s beautiful jewellery
Image: DOWSE Design

I believe we need to keep manufacturing in this country alive and the skills continued to be passed down. Our importing from China won’t last for ever, their economy will become so strong they will end up mainly producing for their own market. Then we’ll be at a loss and have lost our ability to create for our needs.

So to compete with Chinese imports we need to keep creating and making. It is hard to compete online as people are mainly motivated by price in their purchases. We can’t compete with that. So I think to be able to offer diversity and directional design people should be able to see and touch it. And doing that in a great environment is an experience not replicated on the internet. I want my shop to showcase what’s great about what’s going on here and in Europe, things being made by hard working creative individuals and small businesses that make things you fall in love with. It’s hard to do that online.”

Which leads us nicely to Susannah’s second motivation for opening a shop on the high street and why she chose to base it in Brighton.

“I think it’s important to keep our high streets interesting…we need nice environments to stimulate us.”

“Selling jewellery, mid century British furniture, prints, homewards, cards, stationery and more. DOWSE have collaborated with noted local designers Baines & Fricker to create a unique installation for the shop, making the whole experience of shopping much more like a dream and a stroll than a soulless troll through the internet.”

Various interior shots od Hove based Dowse Design

A glimpse inside the beautiful Hove based shop.
Image: DOWSE Design

“I think the pace of life in Brighton here is really conductive for creativity, though admittedly maybe a little too laid back sometimes. It’s a different environment to London of course which has a hugely dynamic creative force. But that doesn’t suit everyone. Brighton offers an alternative, near to London and with all the good aspects of London, i.e. access to culture and and a metropolitan feel, but with a more gentle pace and for some that’s necessary. I’ve lived in Brighton since art school and have worked a lot in London, but I’d stick with Brighton always.

I chose to open the shop on this stretch of Western road instead of the Laines, which is probably where you’d expect to see this kind of shop. I live in the Brunswick area and appreciate the diverse independent businesses there. I wanted to be a part of that neighbourhood. I wanted to provide a destination shop for good design, but also serve as a good neighbourhood shop where people needn’t go all the way in to town to get a gift for someone last minute, but could just pop round the corner.”

The shop is also the studio for DOWSE. You’ll find Susannah there designing and making the jewellery and dreaming up new product lines. Current opening hours are 10 – 6 Tuesday – Saturday 11 – 4 Sundays. 133 Western Road Hove BN3 1DA near Norfolk square.

But if you can’t make it to Brighton don’t worry you can also purchase online, simply visit http://dowsedesign.co.uk/

Make it Yourself with MIY Workshop

There is a joy in being able to create something yourself.  A whole new realm of possibility is unlocked when you aren’t restricted to buying something someone else has made for you but instead you can make exactly the thing you need or want.  But if you’ve never tried making something for yourself where can you go to get the necessary skills? Evening classes at the local college are of course an option but it’s not always easy to fit them in or perhaps they don’t teach the exact thing you are wanting to learn.

Wendy Ward of MIY  Workshop

Wendy Ward of MIY Workshop

Brighton based Wendy Ward opened MIY Workshop in 2012 to help people create garments for themselves.  Offering a range of courses suitable for a variety of abilities as well as the chance to learn more about the history of fashion.  A quick look at her blog shows the happy smiling faces of customers proudly wearing their creations.

I asked Wendy to answer a few questions to give more insight into what she does and why.

 

What’s the best thing about running MIY Workshop?

Being able to spend my time doing what I love!  I’m in control of my time and I decide what to do and when and how.  I love the wide variety of people that I get to meet and it’s really satisfying when someone new to sewing makes their first garment and is pleased with the results.  Students are often surprised at what they can achieve, that’s very satisfying for me as a teacher.

 

MIY Workshop Image: Wendy Ward

MIY Workshop
Image: Wendy Ward

Does being based Brighton make a difference to your business?

Brighton is a very creative and alternative place which means it’s a great place to have a creative business like mine.  I’m located in the North Laine area in the heart of the city which is buzzing with independent shops and creative businesses, it’s got a nice community.  I’m also not far from the train station which means I attract students from outside of Brighton too.  It’s also good to be close to London; I design and sell my own sewing patterns (www.miycollection.co.uk) and have started to do some of the big sewing shows like the Knitting & Stitching show (where I’ll be in October!), so it helps to be close to big events.

MIY Collection - available at www.miycollection.co.uk  Image: Wendy Ward

MIY Collection – available at www.miycollection.co.uk
Image: Wendy Ward

What would you say to someone thinking about taking up sewing? 

The sewing room Image: Wendy Ward

The sewing room
Image: Wendy Ward

Practice, practice, practice is the first piece of advice that I give to all my students.  Sewing is just like any other practical skill and there’s no point in just learning loads and loads of new techniques if you never actually put them into practice.  Just sew as much as you can, be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them and ask for help when you need it – either from a book, a video tutorial online or a sewing class.  I often say to students who get a little frustrated at the start – look you wouldn’t go to one piano lesson and then expect to be able to play in a concert would you?!  Same applies to sewing – don’t start with a silk evening dress, start with simple shapes and easy fabrics, but most of all – make something you WANT to make or that you NEED, the whole point is to love the process of sewing which means being motivated by what you’re sewing, otherwise, what’s the point?  You might as well go out and buy a ready-made product.

Here’s the details of how to find out more:

www.miyworkshop.co.uk
MIY Workshop is at 33 North Road, BN1 1YB       Tel:  01273 693451

MIY Collection sewing patterns: www.miycollection.co.uk

Join MIY Workshop on facebook www.facebook.com/miyworkshop

Follow MIY Workshop on twitter @wendywarduk

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Rosie and the Boys is a creative family team with a love of colour and soft spot for parties. Our products are handcrafted with attention to detail, quality materials and a smile on our face! Inspired by Nature and designed with the latest trends in mind, we provide a range of party decorations and greetings cards with a contemporary twist.

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