Initially an online store promoting the work of independent designer makers, Hannah Zakari will soon open it's doors as a beautiful real life shop on Candlemaker Row.
With a host of eclectic and unique designs, every item at Hannah Zakari is created with love and care by talented designers who enjoy making the items as much as you will enjoy wearing them.
We recently caught up with Rachael Lamb, the creative lady behind all things Hannah Zakari, prior to the exciting shop launch on Saturday 24th July.
Tell us a little bit about yourself... I'm Rachael Lamb and I run indie online (soon to be real life) boutique Hannah Zakari.
Where does the name Hannah Zakari come from? The name comes from the Japanese hanazakari, which means blossom. I'm a huge fan of Japanese culture and it seemed fitting that I should try and incorporate that into my shop somehow, especially as I get a lot of inspiration and materials for my own line on trips to Japan.
What initially inspired you to go into the craft business? When I started Hannah Zakari it was initially just a way to sell my own creations, but I soon realised that all the crafters I followed were in the US. I decided to approach them to see if they would be interested in selling with me and almost to my surprise they all said yes! Now, the craft scene has taken off in the UK in a big way a lot of my designers are UK based, but I stock work from all over the world.
I've always been creative and was encourage to paint, draw and create things as a kid, which is something that has stayed with me growing up. I think it was inevitable that I would end up doing something like this.
Can you describe your creative process? As a designer, I tend to get inspired by the pieces I'm working with and it's the materials that spark the creativity with me. If I find a fabric I love I'll think about what I can use it for - be it a bag, dress, cushion etc - and create a pattern from there. I also make jewellery and it's much the same process.
As a shop owner, I'm driven to keep Hannah Zakari fresh and interesting. I get a real buzz out of introducing a new designer that my customers might not have seen before or by giving a designer their first chance to sell their work to a bigger audience.
Where do you look for inspiration and ideas? I search the Internet for new designers and I always have an eye out at craft fairs for new and unusual stuff I've not seen before.
Do you have favourite indie designers or styles? I do, and I'm very lucky to be stocking a lot of them in the shop!
When you’re not being creative, you are…? When I have free time I can be found lounging in coffee shops chatting to friends, shopping, reading and baking. However, I've been so busy lately that I only have the energy to curl up in a chair and read trashy literature when I get home in the evening.
What’s the best advice you have been given about running your own business? Ironically, a few years ago my husband's boss advised me not to open a shop but to use my money to invest in the website instead. By not rushing into things (which I have a tendency to do at times!) I'm now in a much better position to be opening a shop financially. I've managed to find my perfect premises and location for Hannah Zakari, and feel much more confident in my decisions and plans.
I didn't have a huge amount to invest and I was dying to open a shop at the time, but it turned out to be great advice. I took on a PR person and moved Hannah Zakari out of my flat and into a proper studio space and learned a lot in the process.
Are there any business problems that you consider are unique to a craft business? I'm not sure if it's unique to a craft business, but the biggest problem I come across is pricing. Making things by hand is time consuming and good materials can be costly. You have to compete with hobbyists who just want to cover their costs and deal with customers used to high street prices who may not realise how much hard work went in to creating your pieces. It can be hard to find the right balance, but it's crucial to making your business successful.
Do you approach new designers to feature in Hannah Zakari or do designers tend to approach you? I tend to get 4 or 5 applications to sell on Hannah Zakari each week and I also approach designers myself, so it's a bit of a mixture. Can you tell us all about your exciting plans for the new Hannah Zakari shop in Edinburgh? So much is happening on the opening day, I'm so excited about it! We're having a tea party with a twist and will be serving refreshments throughout the day in our mismatched vintage china to thirsty customers, along with a selection of biscuits and sweets made by mums and friends. Corinne Robinson from Dazed Dorothy will be in the shop with her sewing machine to create and customise bags and purses, so customers can go home with their very own unique item on the day. Customers can also bring their own buttons and beads to be added to one of Dazed Dorothy's lovely leather goodies – even old leather items can be transformed into a completely new piece!
We'll also have Louise Pringle of Eclectic Shock who will be making her signature Curio Charm jewellery and creating pieces especially for Hannah Zakari customers.
She'll be using components from her own huge collection of antique and vintage beads, charms and curios, and customers can also bring their old pieces of jewellery to add a personal touch.
And, of course, you'll get the first glimpse at new pieces by our many brand new designers before they go on the website!
Where do you shop, besides Hannah Zakari, of course? I love nothing more than an afternoon online browsing Folksy and Etsy.
Finally, what are your 5 favourite things about Edinburgh? The views, the people, the fashion, the restaurants and the pubs!
