Lavender Hill Clothing

“I don’t believe that you can set up a business these days and not be as transparent and sustainable as possible.
“There are so many amazing developments, especially in the fashion and textile world, that I don’t understand why you wouldn’t use them,” added the T-shirt trailblazer, whose decision to self-fund Lavender Hill’s launch at the age of 24 has paid dividends. 

“We are doing what we can to educate consumers about these new fabrics; to let them know that you don’t always have to opt for polyester and man-made. Our T-shirts are made out of wood pulp and we make sure that for every tree taken down for our products, another is immediately planted.

“We have always looked to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. We are dedicated to keeping production as local as we can – our items will never be shipped from the Far East – and all of our packaging is made from recycled materials.”

Given the value Isobel places on the prosperity of the planet, her decision to add Big Yellow to Lavender Hill Clothing’s ensemble during the female fashion firm’s second year of business was an easy one.

“Big Yellow’s environmental credentials make it a great business to be aligned with,” Isobel added, highlighting that the store boasts rooftop solar panels – which help generate and contribute to the building’s electrical use – and a green roof that provides a rainwater buffer, purifies air and reduces the internal ambient temperature.

However, a synergy in standpoints on sustainability is not the only attraction for the 31-year-old, who employs a team of six and uses Lavender Hill’s 150 sq ft of space to house its fast-moving stock of best-selling T-shirts and ever-growing range of loungewear, underwear and accessories.

Citing the store's London location as a huge plus for distribution, Isobel commended Big Yellow for creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere in addition to worrying about the Earth’s atmosphere.

“I really like being at Big Yellow because it is a nice environment to be in,” she said. “The staff are really great and offer a lot of support – and I don’t think many other storage companies offer that same level of service.

Valuing a strong sense of community – and helping neighbours in need – is another trend shared by the two companies.

"There are also so many other great businesses based there and, although we’re not necessarily in the same market, it is great to be able to bounce ideas or just get advice from each other.
Running a small business and doing most things yourself can be a bit lonely but Big Yellow has created a nice hub and I really like being part of it."

While The Big Yellow Foundation has a proud track record of working with charity partners to support vulnerable people – such as ex-offenders, refugees, ex-Service personnel and those living with disabilities – in their search for employment and a better future, Lavender Hill Clothing has demonstrated its philanthropic stripes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Having added cotton face masks to its retail wardrobe, the online business vowed that for every pack purchased by customers, it would donate a pack to the Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea.

The generous pledge has so far seen more than 15,000 masks provided to the charity, which provides much-needed support to children, young people, the elderly and refugee communities on its doorstep.

Sharing how a conversation with an 85-year-old woman, who had not left her home for eight weeks, spurred her into action, Isobel said: “Once we decided to make face masks we wanted to support those who needed help; people who needed a mask to go outside, for families on the breadline who couldn’t afford not to go to work.

“I feel strongly about supporting each other and I am really proud of being able to donate the number of masks we have – I just hope we can give away a few more,” she concluded. “Doing something was really important because we are a business that cares.”

For more information, visit www.lavenderhillclothing.com