Holly & Lil
collars@hollyandlil.co.uk
07811 715 452/07836 592 415
Who: Sarah Wyndham Lewis and Elaine Jones
"I was up Primrose Hill one day with my small black puppy cavorting at my feet, and suddenly there was Elaine and her pup Holly. The two pups just loved each other. And then Elaine and I discovered we had both grown up nearby each other – both our roots are in Primrose Hill. It was like meeting an old, old friend. We just clicked.
We started dog walking on the Heath, and would set the world to rights in Parliament Hill café. I’d been saying for ages how boring I thought dog collars were and I’d started making Lil, my pup, quite funky collars with bits stitched on. So we decided to start making them for our own dogs and see if anybody was interested. Somehow over the next three months we had a business! I think it’s because we’re both energetic people and don’t like doing anything by halves.
We started off with a stall at the VV Rouleaux market in Sloane Square. We had a fantastic audience of responsive people -– a lot of advice and great feedback. We then took a stand at London Crufts. We did all our market research on the hoof! We had so much fun. We’re making a very beautiful product which is comparable to Hermès and Gucci collars in quality. It isn’t going to fall to pieces in six months time! We have an amazingly wide international clientele. We’ve sent out to about 20 countries and regularly to Japan and the US. They love the charm collars with twinkly bits in Japan.
Our latest collars are the Harris tweeds, which couldn’t be more different from the charm collars, which are very froufrou. The most popular is the pony-skin bound with red leather, really classic. And the greyhound collars we do also look fantastic on other types of dogs, from terriers right up to Great Danes. The wide red and brown collar people fall over for. It’s funny, people are drawn to the really wild stuff, like pink on orange, saying ‘That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen’ and then they’ll buy the red and brown one. We’ve got some really wacky stuff that sells really well but nothing like the calmer stuff."
What: Dog collars for the more style conscious type of pooch. Prices range from £50 to £95 for beautifully designed and manufactured leather collars – Sarah is a self-confessed leather addict, we’re talking designer handbags overload so she knows her leather! The designs include boho, charm, beaded, semi-precious and you can even choose your own colours and theme to get something really unique. And they also very pretty cat colours, but best for the more stay-at-home type of cat, as this isn’t the type of collar you want snared in a bush!
Why: As far as collars go these days, you can buy your cheap card-boardy ones from the pet shop or fork out nearly £400 for some designer fare. Neither are very satisfactory solutions. Holly & Lil’s collars are carefully made from good quality leather, all materials sourced and manufactured in the UK. The designs range from colourful and pretty to traditional and elegant, but never compromising on the quality of the product. Deck your pet out in boho charm collars, you’ll be the talk of the park!
Where: At the moment you can buy online at www.hollyandlil.co.uk but Sarah and Elaine will be opening their first shop in Bermondsey Street, in Southwark, in the spring. Between Tower Bridge and London Bridge, Bermondsey Street is a little villagy street with lots of cafés and bars.
