A little while ago I got the chance to interview the founder and designer of The Cambridge Satchel Company, Julie Deane. I’m a big fan of the bags due to their really pretty shape as well as the amazing colours they come in, so I wanted to catch up with Julie to see what inspired her and what’s next for the brand! You can read all of the interview inside this post. Also, if you love Cambridge Satchels like I do, I am giving away a 13″ Vintage Brown satchel right now! You can enter here.
Lorna: Hi Julie! I know that you started out with nothing but your Cambridge Satchel idea 4 years ago, what inspired you to want to do satchels?
Julie: I had been looking for a lovely leather satchel for my children and they were no longer available. So I took my pencil and started drawing the one I remembered from school, then brought it bang up to date!
Lorna: You have come such a long way and I am so pleased that your company took off like it did, I’m a big fan of the satchels myself and have been for a couple of years. Did you ever in-vision The Cambridge Satchel Company being as successful as it is today?
Julie: I honestly never thought of it – I hoped that I’d make enough for the school fees but I just kept focused and working as hard as I could. Don’t limit yourself, follow your dream, work hard and see where it takes you..
Lorna: How does it feel when you see a celebrity wearing one of your bags?
Julie: Amazing – to see someone that you’ve seen so often in films or on tv, walking about with a Cambridge Satchel bag – it’s very exciting and it’s a great boost to everyone here to know that of all the bags they could have chosen, it was one of ours that was picked.
Lorna: Do you have any plans to design any other style bags in the future? Or will you stick to satchels?
Julie: We do have two new shapes, both will launch in 2013. We don’t say much as we have so many imitators that we have to be very careful.
Lorna: My favourite bag would be the fluorescent pink 11 inch satchel, do you have a favourite?
Julie: The Downing (oxblood and navy) makes me smile because it’s the one I took to Downing Street when my mum and I were invited as part of the Red magazine awards last year. It was such an honour, and to have my mum with me made it extra special. Every time I carry that bag I relive that day.
Lorna: I know your fluorescent collection took fashion week by storm in New York, did you know that neons were going to be a huge trend again at the time?
Julie: No, but they are exceptional bags. When I see someone with one the bag literally lights up the room – there’s nothing like them. We have some new fluoro colours coming so the summer is likely to be bright again, despite the British weather.
Lorna: What has been your most amazing experience since you founded the company? Do you have that one moment where you look back on it and think ‘wow’?
Julie: Standing in New York last February and seeing bag after bag of ours in Bloomingdales shop windows, with “The Cambridge Satchel Company” etched across the windows – amazing, they really helped make us ‘The Brit It Bag’
Lorna: And lastly, I just wanted to say how I love that the bags represent true English heritage in a way, but is there anything you would like to add that I didn’t ask or you would like to tell my readers?
Julie: I would encourage your readers to stop and ask themselves do they have a dream? an idea they think might just work – and then follow it – do something to make it a reality, it’s never been easier to start a business all you need to do is take that first step.
Lorna: Thank you for doing this interview with me Julie and I hope you have even bigger success!
Julie: Thank you Lorna and a very happy Christmas to you and your readers. J.
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you´re so lucky! I love those satchels! xo, Alma
http://www.soulofashopper.com
Author
Thanks Alma!
wow! that’s a great interview loma! beautiful post thanks for sharing!
xx
nini
Author
Glad you liked it nini!
Happy New Year! I’m wishing you the best! I hope you enjoy these days!
P.S.You can vote for Beauty and the Mist as your favourite Greek beauty blog. You can choose up to 3 blogs, but NOT THE SAME. If you want to choose only one, leave the two other options blank. You only write your name and email. Thank you very much! Happy Holidays!
http://www.greekbeautybloggers.com/2012/12/best-greek-beauty-bloggers-blog.html
Author
Thank you! Good luck in the vote too!
Wow I love cambridge satchels! Great post! xx
http://scattergirll.blogspot.com
Author
Thanks Sophie!
I love your blog!! Just found it!
Author
Thank you Nikki!
Lucky you 🙂
http://www.the-goldensoul.blogspot.com
XOXO,
Inês
Author
Thank you 🙂
Hi Lorna, I love your blog and your are such a wonderful girl, I like your style. These bags are amazing. Come and meet me on my blog sometime, I’ll be there, waiting for you. And if you want, add me on GFC 🙂
Where are you from, precisely? I’ve been to Swanage last summer.
Erika
Author
I’m from the South West 🙂 I never give out exactly where I live though! Thank you for your lovely comment!
Wauu! Love this bag!
Sure, I’ll follow you!
Amo Lusso
Author
Glad you do Lily!
What a lovely interview, good questions Lorna, and perfect answers x
Author
Glad you liked it ali!
oh those bags are really beautiful, a timeless fabulous shape and the colors brighten up each day 😉
kiss,mary
http://www.maryloucinnamon.com
Author
They are great aren’t they! 🙂
What a great interview! That’s so cool you got to interview her! Great questions, and those are lovely bags!
Author
Glad you liked it!!
Great interview and cool bags too. You have an awesome blog, btw, thank you for a nice comment on my blog.
Karen A.
http://hablemosfashion.blogspot.com
Author
Thank you so much Karen!
Oh wow I didn’t know this company had started from a Mum!!! I loved this interview Lorna!!!! I love the satchel’s even more now xD
I hope you have a great New Years and wish you and your loved ones all the best my darling!!
xoRosie
http://teacupsanddresses.blogspot.com/
Author
Oh yeah it’s a cool story isn’t it! And thank you Rosie! I hope you do too!
Love your blog! :)))
If you want, you can follow me with GFC | FB | Pinterest | Bloglovin. 😀 Please let me know and I’ll follow you back. :))
Alexandra A.,
The Glitter Side @ Blogspot
The Glitter Side @ Facebook
The Glitter Side @ Pinterest
The Glitter Side @ Bloglovin
Author
Thank you 🙂 We can follow each other if you want to, I don’t have GFC though!
Lucky you!
Nice interview!
Win a L’OREAL MASCARA >> GIVEAWAY <<
milna89.blogspot.com
Author
Thanks Milna!
Pretty bag 🙂
Author
They are great aren’t they 🙂
Cool interview Lorna! I love these satchels and it’s a very inspiring story. I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog this year. Best Wishes for 2013!
Author
Oh thank you Anna! That means a lot to me!
Gorgeous bags! 🙂
XO Nat
[nat in love]
Author
Glad you like them Nat 🙂
Amazing interview ! I admire them !! And they deserve it all !!
Happy Holidays sweetheart ! And Happy New Year !
http://www.universeandyou.com.br
xoxo from Japan
PS: Fingers crossed on the giveaway ! 🙂
Author
Glad you liked it!! 🙂
Wow that is absolutely amazing that you got to interview her. Her story is so inspirational. I love her satchels, she seems so nice as well!
http://www.youremyfavouriteflavour.blogspot.co.uk/
Author
Yeah she seems lovely doesn’t she?