An Interview with Rae, the Fabulous Female Founder of Lifestyle Brand, Rae Feather.
I love your name, Rae, tell me a little about yourself?
I’m Irish but moved to the UK when I was 18. I did a cookery course for a year, moved to America for a year on a working holiday returned and got a job in Formula One racing working in hospitality. I then moved from hospitality to marketing and continued to work in Sports Marketing until my late 30’s. I then started a Marketing company specialising in Luxury, mainly hotels and residential properties. In 2013, I started Rae Feather.
On a personal level, I have 3 sons, Billy 21, Jimi 19 , Joey 17 and one stepson Ollie 27.
I live in the Northamptonshire countryside with my boys and 2 dogs.
When and how did you decide to start up Rae Feather?
www.raefeather.com - www.raefeather.com
I started Rae Feather in late November 2013. I felt there was a gap in the market for simple, beautiful pieces, in classic/contemporary styles. The range consisted of shirting, cottons, cashmere and linens. It was beautiful, gentle, classic and most of all, affordable.
I raised some investment, planned for a year before launch date and thus began the journey.
Where did you get the inspiration for your products and what was the first product you started with?
My inspiration came from all sorts of avenues. I have always loved clothes/fashion and I natural fabrics especially cottons. The first product we did was a cotton poplin shirt that was immediately a sell out and coincidentally we are about to launch it again in September.
What’s your most popular item?
Right now our Frill Shirt. We have had 3 sell outs and still have a long waiting list. On the accessory side, Our Grace Basket is our best seller. Classic, beautiful and timeless.
What do you like to do on your birthday?
I love being with my boys on my birthday, we get together and enjoy my favourite, shepherd’s pie!
A restaurant or chef that inspires you
I love Ruth Rogers from the River Café - www.rivercafe.co.uk. Love her recipes and her restaurant. I am a fan of Jamie Oliver. I find his recipes are easy to follow, healthy, not fussy and delicious.
Fitness or food during lockdown?
Both. I love to cook and with 4 sons, I have to cook. I’m a simple and healthy cook. My kids laugh because I rave on about the nutritional value of supper every night. It’s become a family joke!
Fitness wise I have a Peloton Bike - https://www.onepeloton.co.uk/and I made a decision to use it religiously through lockdown and I have… amazingly.
An object you would never part with
A ring my mother had made for me. It’s part of who I am and it’s totally unique.
The last meal that truly impressed you
I visited Florence for work in January and had the best Pizza of my life at the Train station of all places. I can’t wait to go back!
On a more sophisticated level, I had an incredible lunch at Bocca di Lupo - www.boccadilupo.com just before lockdown. One of my favourite restaurants in London.
Bocca di Lupo - 020 7734 2223
An unforgettable place you’ve travelled to in the past year
Always India. I am never disappointed by any trip to India. Jaipur is so inspiring. I always leave India with a a real sense of soulfulness. My favourite hotel in Jaipur is Samode Haveli - www.samode.com- colonial elegance at its best and my favourite shop is Ridhi Sidhi a block print fabric shop.
Ridhi Sidhi Textiles, 9 Govind Nagar (East), Amber Palace Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, India
Tel: +91 82901 11555
Where would you like to go next?
I want to go to Turkey and really explore Istanbul. I already have a list of places I want to visit. Might sneak off to the seaside for a few days while I’m there.
Your favourite shop
So many, I love Brown Thomas in Dublin. It’s the sister store of Selfridges in London/ I love their edit and always find too many pieces I want to buy.
I also love my sister’s lifestyle store in Dublin - Helen Turkington. She has an incredible eye and is not far off launching her website - watch this space www.helenturkington.com.
What’s in your future plans for Rae Feather?
I would like to grow my brand into an all round Lifestyle brand. Clothing, accessories, homeware.
A recent “find”
A Vintage Sari site - I’m keeping the name a secret.
The last music I downloaded
I am music obsessed and my kids are music obsessed. The last song I downloaded was You Don’t Treat No good No More by D.Pritzker, Sonia Dada - I have it on repeat.
If I weren’t doing what I do I would…
Be a writer. I love to write and I would like to think one day I might be brave enough to write a book.
In my fridge you’ll always find
Greek Yoghurt and Irish Butter.
The beauty staple I’m never without
Chanel Soleil Tan and Studio 10 Foundation - https://studio10beauty.com/.
Favourite Hotel
Palazz0 Avino - http://www.palazzoavino.com in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast - understated, old school elegance.