Cheet continues to grow as a brand known for creating handbags in striking, original designs. We count Hollywood stars Natascha McElhone, Keira Knightley, Margo Stilley and a wealth of UK TV stars as fans. I continue to design each piece from my London studio and currently sell our lines of handbags, wallets, holdalls and shoppers to around 80 stockists worldwide and via our online boutique.

Earthy sophistication, romantic prints and electrifying color are just some of the key stories from the Cheet Spring Summer 2008 collection. Be bold with colors such as mint, petrol blue, lime or violet this season or keep it simple with bags in neutral eggshell, tan, cognac or pink taupe. Our Autumn/Winter 08/9 presents two new looks. The ‘Beat’ range in soft, washed lambs’ leather in shades of sabana olive, aubergine and amber-tan with trims and piping work are in contrast bronze, pewter and chocolate. The ‘Bauhaus‘ group is fashioned from glazed goat leather in bronze, black & rich plum and accented in duck egg/chocolate, crème/mocha and blush/lavender. Lattice piping work denotes this rich collection. Our new collection for Spring/Summer 08 is in development and we will be showcasing these at tradeshows in London and Paris from August. Our collections are mostly made from sumptuous leathers, such as washed lambs leather or glazed goat leathers. We are known for our unusual details such as lattice-work, macramé handles or special bespoke fittings – these are the defining additions to our bags that really make our collections stand out.

We’ve just launched a line of premium, men’s bags and accessories which is very exciting. The men’s bags follow the Cheet ethos of combining lasting style with affordability and retail from 115-400 $US.  My label grew from a bedroom based hobby! As a creative release from a hectic PR job, I began to make bags from old textiles and soft furnishing fabrics on my Mum’s antique ‘Singer’ sewing machine. Friends and a few boutiques began to order the bags, leaving me with little spare time, so at the end of 2002, I threw caution to the wind and started the label, Cheet London officially.

In 2007, one of my designs was included in a catwalk show only the stylist thought that particular design would look great on a guy (despite it being originally intended as a woman’s bag). This was a fortuitous happening for me as the menswear buyer for Debenhams, a large UK retailer, saw the bag and subsequently asked me to design for their stores. My diffusion line, CAD by Cheet, is now in more than 50 of their flagship department stores.

My biggest nightmare happened while at a tradeshow in Paris earlier this year, I had two of my samples stolen from my stand. It happened during the busy set-up phase of the show when there are so many people milling around and things like this can happen so easily. Unfortunately, they were unique samples and I had to carry on without them. Two lessons learned – lock your stand adequately and make two samples where possible!!

In 2007, I won the London Fashion Forum’s Best Accessory Designer award and subsequently designed a capsule collection of bags and accessories for a UK women’s retailer, HOBBS. It was a fantastic time in my life as it came just at the point where I was wondering if I would ever get my ‘break’. It really boosted my confidence and gave me even more spirit and passion to continue forward with the business!