If you’re hoping to find your way into the world of fashion then you’re going to love this week’s Behind The Biz interview. If you’re new around here, Behind The Biz is an interview series where I discover small and growing businesses, the people behind them and their business journey.
Today’s interview is with Steven Sheldon & Emma Hall, the co-founders of House of SheldonHall.
Please tell us about your business.
House of SheldonHall is a fashion house, started in an attic, in a terraced house by two friends with a love of making things. Our inspiration comes from the golden age of fashion when Dior was king, and dressing up was mandatory. Our ultimate goal is to own a fashion brand showing our work alongside the best in the world. Since we presented in our first collection in 2014, our work has been recognised and published internationally and featured in British Vogue. We recently have launched our first ready to wear collection available to buy online in an attempt to reach out to women on more commercial level whilst not compromising the vision of the label.
What did you do before starting House of SheldonHall?
We both went to the same college and then to the University of Huddersfield. When we graduated, we both went into work for a while. Steven worked for a well-known craft superstore and Emma a Solicitors. We’ve always had a great appreciation for textiles and fashion.
Photo Credits: Stoney Darkstone
Where did the inspiration for House of SheldonHall come from?
We left uni and we didn’t really know what to do with ourselves. We just lived and worked for a while. Emma bought a house, and that really gave us the space to develop the idea. We just wanted to carry on doing what loved. Eventually we sat down and said let’s make something, and we haven’t stopped.
How did you decide upon the name of your brand?
It was an accident, we came up with it when we were designing the website. It’s just our surnames, nothing conceptual.
Photo Credits: Stoney Darkstone
Did you always plan to be self-employed?
I don’t think we ever thought about it in that way, because all we wanted to do was make beautiful things. I suppose subconsciously we did really, ultimately wanting a fashion house or brand has to result in some kind of revenue because it’s just too expensive to continue as a hobby.
What has been the biggest challenge in running your business so far?
All of it! Just like most new business, we’ve had to come to terms with dealing with disappointments, I think the biggest challenge is finding the drive to continue when they occur. It could be really so easy to just stop. Because we do everything ourselves at the moment; designing, making, even our own PR. We make everything in-house, people don’t seem to understand how much time it takes out of our lives. It can get really difficult to manage.
What has been the highlight of your business journey to date?
We recently had our work pulled by a well-known celebrity stylist for Lady Gaga to accompany her on her European press cycle. That’s been unbelievably exciting.
What role does social media play for your business and do you have a favourite social platform?
I think the most useful is Instagram. Because fashion is so visual, platforms like Instagram are great way of getting your work into the world. We’ve had a lot of really great feedback which is always encouraging.
Photo Credits: Stoney Darkstone
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Stick to it. Even if the people around you don’t understand what your trying to do. If you love it, and it makes sense to you, just keep at it and Lady Gaga contacts you! lol
Where do you hope to take your business in 2017?
We’re really hoping to show and sell in London, that’s the goal platform for us. We’re working on links with London boutiques and sourcing sponsorship to help finance a show or presentation.
If you want to find out more about House of SheldonHall pop over to their website and shop the latest collection. Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to help support Emma and Steven’s biz.
I want to say a huge thank you to Emma and Steven for taking part in Behind The Biz. I really enjoyed the interview, it’s such a pleasure to be able to interview young, talented and passionate people. It must have been so exciting and a real motivational kick to be contacted by Lady Gaga’s stylist. I can’t wait to see House of SheldonHall grow throughout 2017 and I’ll be keeping up with their journey over on their social channels.
If you fancy getting involved with Behind The Biz please leave a comment below or drop me a message over on Twitter.