Kerri of Francis + Louise

Have you always been a maker. If not how did you get here? Francis + Louise turns 6 years old this year and before that I was a print designer for the fashion industry, so I think you could indeed say I have always been a maker! For over fifteen years I had the pleasure of seeing my patterns featured on clothes for brands including Filippa K, Calvin Klein, Tiger of Sweden, Duchamp, Jones NY, BCBG Max Azria, DKNY and Anthropologie, so I really got to experience what it means to design bespoke, stunning and memorable patterns on an international stage.

I worked for H&M and designed all the prints for the H&M x Kylie Minogue collaboration. I will never forget watching Kylie opening the Shanghai store with hundreds of performers, all wearing my prints.

Is making your full time job?

Francis + Louise is my full time job, which I manage around caring for my young family. I actually launched the business in March 2018 when I was 14 weeks pregnant with my second child so the brand has always been firmly embedded in juggling and managing multiple hats!

I am fortunate to have a home studio in my garden, so I can run between work and home life quickly. This can be a double-edged sword however, as it often means that I have one foot in work and family life all the time and separation can be hard.

What does a typical day look like for you? Wonderfully, no two days are the same, although I do try to start my day with some exercise first thing in the morning, usually yoga or a quick walk round the park, as I often find it’s hard to make time for this once I get focussed on creating. Once I drop my children at school, I step into my studio and refer to my list of priorities for the week. At the moment, these are centred around getting ready for taking part in two key wedding fairs this February; so printing and making products to ensure I have enough stock, writing blog posts to help customers understand the services I provide, printing leaflets and designing my stand layout, as well as keeping an eye out for inspiration for future patterns.

I am particularly excited about my new range of Bridal Headbands. I have 3 styles to choose from, each made in a beautiful and subtle eco sparkle fabric that is new to my range. They are made from a soft recycled material and can be made bespoke using any of my prints in my collection. The best bit! They are not just for your wedding day. Wear them over and over again, styling them in new and playful ways for the next festive gathering or simply because you’re in the mood for a bit of sparkle and pattern. Forget the fleeting trends; these accessories are all about durable style and quality that can handle the party scene again and again

What sustainable practices have you integrated into your business? Sustainability is really important to me and central to Francis + Louise. I make in small batches in the UK. Digitally printing all my fabrics (reducing water use) only printing what I need, and I use every last bit of fabric so there is zero waste in my production process. I use natural and recycled fabric and print using eco inks, plus all packaging and presentation boxes are made from recycled materials.

Whether collaborating with couples on custom prints or drawing inspiration from my life and surroundings, my focus on detail comes through. Creating functional items with meaningful purposes is particularly rewarding, especially when couples choose my accessories and gifts for their weddings as it holds a special place in their memory.

What have you got from being a part of the Crafty Fox community? I have gained so much from being part of the Crafty Fox community. As well as being able to connect with customers and other makers at the fairs, I’ve also got to work on some really special projects because of Crafty Fox connections. I had the pleasure and privilege of designing bespoke wedding accessories for fellow trader Charlotte from Martin Le Lapin, creating a unique print based on Charlotte and her husband Lewis’s memories from travelling in Japan. Connections and collaborations have been the highlight. I love joining forces of skills, celebrating two crafts in new products. I worked with the talented book binder Aimee from @woodlebooks to create a limited edition Journal and Georgia from @ohroslondon who makes my relaxing candles for my top selling gift sets. Also making great friends, I met the lovely Louise from @cocoluludesigns at the Crafty Fox markets and we now meet up regularly to discuss ideas, skill swap and join forces, as she took part in my Summer pop up shop .

See more of Kerri’s work at www.francis-louise.com