FRIENDS OF THE BRAND

Jeweller Alex Monroe grew up in the 1970’s Suffolk countryside in an old, crumbling house surrounded by wild, tangled nature.

He enjoyed a childhood rich with freedom and imagination - roaming through fields, forests and rivers and constantly crafting all sorts of interesting (and sometimes mildly dangerous) tools and inventions to accompany him on his adventures!

Training at the School of Art, Architecture and Design in London, Alex unexpectedly turned his hand to the craft of jewellery - and released his first collection in 1987 to critical acclaim.

His intention was to produce excellent quality pieces, originally designed, made by hand and well priced. This was jewellery made to be worn, made to be loved and made to be treasured - values which remain unchanged to this day!

Nadira Tudor - international multimedia broadcast journalist, presenter, host & moderator who specialises in Crisis Communication and Media Relations.

Nadira grew up in North Wales, but her life in front of the camera and behind the microphone has taken her all over the world where she has worked alongside the military, reported for mainstream broadcasters from overseas, interviewed numerous celebrities and prominent figures as well as shining a spotlight on a myriad of fascinating people doing amazing things around the world.

Jo Fellows is an Advanced Yoga Teacher, qigong teacher, sound healing practitioner, meditation teacher and reiki master/teacher.

Her accessible classes, workshops, courses and retreats are designed to revitalise your spirit and restore balance to mind, body and soul.

Based in the Cotswold countryside she practices in a variety of yoga studios and holistic centres around Cheltenham, Broadway, Stow on the Wold and Daylesford, and also works one to one with private clients creating bespoke treatments and classes at their homes and hers.

Jo’s regular seasonal retreats run at beautiful Notgrove Estate.

Garden designer Butter Wakefield grew up on a small farm outside of Baltimore, Maryland.

Her mother, aunt and grandfather were all keen and accomplished gardeners, and she remembers with great fondness wandering around their beautiful gardens as a child – her deep appreciation of beautiful surroundings and a passion for gardening is a family trait running deep in her veins.

Butter trained at the English Gardening School, winning two prizes, and more recently graduated from The London College of Garden Design with a Merit Commended.

Originally, she worked as an interior design assistant at Colefax and Fowler in London where she was trained in the world of decorative interiors. It was there that her love of the creative process took hold as she learned about scale, texture, pattern, colour and the principles and practices of design.

Named RHS Chatsworth Gold Medal Winner for her Belmond Echanted Gardens, Butter lives in London where she has a small design studio, specialising in the creation of inspirational and purposeful gardens of all sizes.

Having always been a fitness enthusiast, Posie started practising Pilates on a daily basis as a result of a skiing accident.

Posie teaches group and private classes from her studio in North Yorkshire both online and in person. Her classes are flowing, dynamic and energetic whilst always bearing in mind the rehabilitative aspect of Pilates for pain prevention.

Posie is absolutely passionate about the benefits of Pilates giving the perfect balance of toning, core strength and flexibility and truly believes she can help you to reach your goals.

Jess runs a design studio in North Wales, where she works across a variety of disciplines from sculpture to homeware design, which has a unified, nostalgic, nature driven narrative.

Her work aims to remind the viewer the beauty and fragility of our natural world, it is therefore important to Jess that her pieces transcend seasonality and have a conscience. Her work occupies an interesting space, somewhere between being an artist and a homeware designer.

She hand makes brass candle sconces, candelabras and chandeliers, as well a sculptural hanging mobiles and lighting.

Everything that comes out of the workshop is unique, all of the leaves are different and are arranged differently on the candle sconces. No one would ever have two of the same thing.

Jess sells her work through her website and a select few retailers around the world, including John Derian in New York, Artilliet in Sweden and Claridge's in London.

Sara is a content creator, ex-fashion buyer, wife and mum of two, living in Derbyshire and founder of Wellies & Champagne blog.

Sara has a degree in textile design and although she no longer works in the fashion business, she hasn’t lost her passion for clothes, shoes, style and travel.

Via her Instagram channel, she shares her ideas, inspiration and key looks and items that help her followers put together a versatile and stylish wardrobe.

In her spare time Sara loves to enjoy her garden, the Derbyshire countryside and taking time to paint the nature that surrounds her.

Lisa Valencia is a makeup artist who has been making people feel fabulous for over 20 years.

With her talent and passion, she has had the opportunity to work with celebrities, models and be a part of fashion shoots all around the world,

Lisa is a mother to three boys and lives in London with her husband.

Her attention to detail is second to none, Lisa’s love of skin care is a testament to her creativity, expertise, and genuine love for making people look and feel their best.

Akanksha, also known as Ashh, is a multi-award finalist and FOHR Verified British Beauty Blogger of Indian Origin.

Residing in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, she offers a one-of-a-kind viewpoint and extensive expertise in the realm of beauty and fragrance in her blog ‘That September Muse’.

Born and raised in the vibrant city of Delhi, India, Ashh’s love for beauty began at an early age. She pursued her passion for technology, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology and a Master’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Enterprise Systems.

Ashh’s deep passion for beauty and fragrances is evident in her blog. Whether it’s exploring the latest makeup trends, sharing skincare routines, or diving into the world of perfumes, she provides valuable insights and reviews.

’That September Muse’ isn’t just about beauty and fragrances however. Ashh believes in embracing a holistic approach to beauty, which extends to lifestyle choices, and self-care.

Her unique blend of Indian heritage and British influences creates an engaging and relatable experience for readers around the globe.‘

An experienced facialist for over 20 years, Mandy trained at the London College of Fashion and worked in both London and the Cayman Islands for many years.

Most recently she has worked with many well known brands designing facials and training therapists across the UK aswell as running her own successful beauty practice in Stoke Newington.

Mandy has a passion for wellbeing and specialises in skin health always providing expert advice for her clients at every consultation.

She loves working with natural brands and is a firm believer in combining facial massage with excellent bio-active ingredients to positively transform the skin.