As 2020 (thankfully!) draws to a close, I have spent a little time reflecting on a year that will go down in history as a bad one.
Yet, 2020 is a year for which I will always be deeply thankful for the many opportunities that came Kindred's way.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you so much for your support throughout 2020. I look back with such gratitude over the last year at how far Kindred of Ireland has come. Whether it's been an order, a share on social media or a word of encouragement, your support has truly meant the world.
I have put together a little photo review to chart our journey over the past 12 months.
With love and warmest wishes for the year ahead,
Amy & the team x
JANUARY
After a busy Christmas period, January was spent with lots of coffee dates with my little 1-year-old. Looking back, this was such an important time of refreshment and resetting.
FEBRUARY
To mark St Valentines Day, we created a hand painted scrunchie - when you bought one, we gifted one to your gal pal!
MARCH
A month where the world got turned upside down, we began March by launching our second collection - 'REFINE' Capsule Collection. A collection I had been 'refining' for over a year, it was inspired by my move into motherhood and adjusting to life being more on-the-go! I wanted to create staple pieces that could be worn effortlessly without too much thought, yet still feel like you are wearing something special. With each piece having a little multi-functional twist, the collection was birthed out of a desire to have less 'stuff' and make it acceptable to wear the same thing from day to dinner!
April
Thinking of a way to give back to Key Workers and also brighten lockdown uniforms, we created our 'HOPE' Scrunchie. For every Hope purchased, another was gifted to a frontline worker. The rainbow had become a symbol of hope during the pandemic with children putting drawings of rainbows on windows to show support for healthcare staff. The fabric was bought in February and I had no plans for how I was going to use it... Turns out it had a perfect destiny & I love that it brought joy to so many of you!
MAY
With Summer vibes in full swing we decided that it was time introduce a much welcomed colour pop into our small collection. We created the Lulu Robe to brighten your lockdown days round the house. Based off a traditional Kimono and in keeping with our desire for comfort to look good, she can serve as indoor 'feel-good' loungewear, or thrown over a t-shirt and jeans when you feel like nipping out!
JUNE
Much needed chill time for my little fam and I on the North Coast of Ireland.
JULY
After selling out of our original Rosie Top, we decided to create a new version as so many of you loved her. This one had two bow fastenings at the back- the perfect summer top with detachable sleeves to dress up or down. It was also the month we relaunched as 'Kindred of Ireland'.
AUGUST
Launched a new version of our 'Girl Power' Srunchie which you loved. She served as a little pick-me-up gift for many of your gal pals who were making it through a crazy year.
SEPTEMBER
September was our biggest month to date - things picked up pace for our small business after we appeared in British Vogue Designer Profiles. Within the same few weeks, we had a feature in Gloss Magazine as well as the Irish Independent, which seen us get more orders and profile than we ever had before. I am so thankful for the opportunities we had during this month. I look back now with thankfulness and see that this was a really pivotal moment in the growth of the business.
The same month we had the privilege of creating a bespoke wedding dress for a beautiful local bride which featured intricate Irish crochet. We also launched our AW20 Folklore collection which featured new techniques of smocking, quilting and beetled linen. We wanted to push our boundaries with this collection to achieve unexpected structures and silhouettes which would serve better in an Irish winter!
OCTOBER
We had the privilege of doing a styling session with local blogger Elanna McGowan (better known as @ellepearls) and we also launched our new Hope scrunchie on Anti-slavery day which raised £1000 for our partner charity Flourish NI. We love what Flourish do and want to support them in any way we can. They provide long term tailored aftercare support for survivors of human trafficking here in Northern Ireland, the money raised makes a real and tangible difference.
We also welcomed Melissa to our team which has been one of the best decisions this year! She is gold;
NOVEMBER
We launched our winter Holly Robe, which perfectly compliments our Eden Loungewear Set.
DECEMBER
Incredibly grateful to have finished the year on such a high with so many of you ordering gifts for yourselves (well deserved after the year we've had) and loved ones. It honestly fills us with so much joy to think that you chose a Kindred of Ireland piece as a gift to your loved one. We collaborated with STORIES Parfums to include a little tester gift with purchases, and had the sewing team at Flourish NI make some mini stockings to say thank you to our loyal customers. We also commissioned local artist Lauren Taylor to paint our 2020 Christmas card.
