About Us!
What sets us aside from most of the other creative brands out there is also what makes us so special.
We use recycled and upcycled resources where possible to make a stand against unnecessary mass production and waste.
Plus, the materials we use are so popular as they’re unique!
We take pride in being quirky and using items that people wouldn’t automatically have connected with utilising creatively.
Among our favourite materials to use are Scrabble tiles, Lego blocks, domino pieces, used drink cans, cassette tapes, buttons and old floppy discs!
What's Next?
As well as jewellery and custom clothing we have recently launched a 'Home Accessories' range that has been received well so far, and are currently in the process of designing and manufacturing weird and wonderful ranges of alternative greetings cards.
Also, we have recently been experimenting with furniture customisation!
Keep your arty peepers peeled for more new and exciting products to come!
Got an idea of what you'd like to see us try next? Comment using Facebook below, or alternatively e-mail your thoughts to us at: RecluseColony@live.co.uk
Meet Our Founder!
Hey, I'm Lauren and the founder of Recluse Colony.
The business was originally set up to provide up and coming underground designers a platform and network for their creations. I'm the owner and main jewellery designer, and there are a team of 98 other creatives that I manage, who specialise in different fields within the artistic industries, from clothing and footwear designers to illustrators, photographers, comic artists, laser engineers and homemade natural beauty product specialists.
We've been running since 2012 but our momentum really started climbing since participating in the RSA Trust's Inspiring Women's Programme and winning the start up business of the year category in the 2013 Enfield Innovation Competition. I have also gained a scholarship place on behalf of RC on Doug Richard's School For Creative Start Ups last year and have also been appointed head of the North London Youth Board recently so it's been a whirlwind few years!
Here at Recluse Colony we're known for our individualistic and inexpensive quirky product ranges as well as being environmentally conscious as we use upcycled and recycled materials to design our items.
I started Recluse Colony in Germany at 18 whilst living and studying there. I set up a part time small jewellery store and quickly realised that if I was a young designer trying to make it, then there must be lots of others in similar situations and that we could join forces and share knowledge, supplies, experiences and networks to create something stronger than the sum of its parts.
I draw ideas from so many different sources. I love designers like Vivienne Westwood, Jeremy Scott and alternative tattoo artists alike as much as drawing inspiration from respected peer designers also. Even things like a well written book, or colours and texture combinations in architecture can send me to another world and inspire a great idea.
I have been mentoring a few creative individuals through the charity I have set up with a board of industry experts and peer mentors which acts as a mentoring and advise facility for struggling young creatives, so helping people set up their own dream jobs is close to my heart.
My advice to anyone reading this would be: never give up! If you have passion, drive and talent for what you do then that's all you'll need to set up. Start small, test the market, know your target audience and build up a support network of family and loved ones to keep you motivated.
Lauren
Recluse Colony