My West London Life

Alice Whiteley

April
18

Alice Whiteley, founder and MD of nightwear and accessories brand Yawn, on obsessing over prints, filling a gap in the market and finding hidden whales

What first prompted the idea for Yawn?

Exhaustion! I was a busy working mum and went shopping for some pyjamas. In the process I saw a gap in the market for a colourful, characterful brand all about relaxation.

Are the designs mainly your own or do you outsource designers?

They are all our own and designed in our little studio in London. We take great pride in the design process and our designers hand draw or paint our designs. We obsess about colour and each print goes through a really lengthy process until we are happy—and we throw out many more than we keep!

Who is your typical customer?

Yawn attracts a fascinating cross-section of women of all ages—they tend to share an attitude, not an age. Our typical customer is a busy, curious and independent-minded woman. She loves creativity, design and discovering new brands.

Do you have an all-time favourite design?

I am most fond of Port in a Storm, which was one of our launch prints back in 2014 and has become a classic Yawn print. It has been a best-seller and it always makes me smile finding the hidden whale.

portinastorm_grande

Could you describe your ideal night in?

Cooking a big dinner in advance for a large group of my family and friends so that we can relax together, catch up and ideally end the evening dancing!

How would you describe your style when not wearing pyjamas?

Smart but relaxed. You will rarely find me in skirts (though I love to dress up on occasion).

Other than Yawn, who are your favourite brands?

Cos, Des Petits Hauts and J Brand are three brands that I have recently bought lovely things from.

What motivates you?

Building a great team and enjoying the journey of creating a business from scratch. Creating special and thoughtful products that help other women to relax and feel good.

What is your ideal way to wind down?

I have become quite partial to a gin and tonic (definitely a sign of getting older) and have always enjoyed a bath with bubbles and a book.

Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

Salcombe in Devon, where we have had family holidays since I was little. My heart always beats slower when I am there and I feel a deep sense of happiness being near the sea and around so many memories from when I was young.

pyjama_n_top_GIFT_1024x1024

What is your career background? Were you always in fashion?

I am a newcomer to fashion. My background was in business. I started out as a management consultant at McKinsey. I had a great time working with big businesses but always wanted to set up my own.

Do you have a favourite west London restaurant or hangout?

I love owner-run independents when you can sense the passion of the owner—Santa Maria pizzeria in Ealing is wonderful, as is Charlotte’s Place and Munson’s (fab coffee shop).

Describe your ideal day:

Waking up slowly followed by a day exploring somewhere foreign with my family. I love it when we end up in new places and discover them together.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? Any plans for world domination?

I hope that in 10 years time Yawn will be a thriving brand, in more of the world’s top stores and worn by women all over the globe—run by a fantastic team of talented individuals who work hard, contribute to society and have fun together.

www.loveyawn.com

Sarah Campus, founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS

March
19

We chat sleeping, eating, hydrating and moving with pre and post-natal fitness expert, Sarah Campus

Sarah Campus is a highly experienced women’s personal trainer, a nutrition coach, wellness expert and a busy mum of three. In 2016 she founded LDN MUMS FITNESS. She is a fitness and wellbeing panellist for Women’s Fitness Magazine and often appears on television as a holistic health specialist.… Read more →

Amy Nairn, Personal Chef

January
5

Personal Chef Amy Nairn on her favourite restaurants, high-profile clients, & cooking to impress!

Where do you live and why?

Having grown up between Islington and Scotland, I’ve lived in Parson’s Green most of my adult life. I love village atmosphere, the mix of ‘country’ pubs, young families, and its proximity to the King’s Road.

How did you get into cooking, is

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