Up With The Lark And

We debate work, explore play and too often forget rest. Why and how does rest impact our creativity and our enterprises?Welcome to Up With The Lark And, a podcast for creative entrepreneurs hosted by Calandre Orton. I have spent the last few years debating work and championing play. Finally, in this episode we consider that third thread - rest.Perhaps once billed as a weakness, it is now clear that it is a strategic tool in the life of a creative and of an entreprenuer.But what does it mean? What does it mean for you? What is realistic? And what is effective? And what if it was the strategy and not the reward?Here to join us to discuss how to rest is Amber Teale co-founder of KABN. KABN is a luxury, regenerative, and social hospitality brand based in Scotland. Launched in 2022, the husband-and-wife duo created the company with a focus on immersive, sustainable travel. Their off-grid cabins, originally located on the shores of Loch Fyne in Scotland, blend Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian design.What a perfect fit for this topic. Join us.

A conversation about Indian design, style and approach to retail with Gabby Deeming founder of Daydress. A few years ago, I had a conversation with Taymoor Atigetchi, founder of Papier, about the impact of his Iranian roots on the way that he does business. That train of thought stayed with me and stayed with me to the point of preoccupation. And so now, here is the third in our series of interviews with entrepreneurs working in and influenced by a variety of countries and cultures. And so today, India. A place of vitality and vibrancy, an ancient, beautiful and spiritual country, hot and hectic and laced with entrepreneurship.To guide us safely and joyfully through the streets of Jaipur is Gabby Deeming, founder of Daydress. Daydress began with a single blockprint shirt dress. And every dress that has been made since carries that sense of pattern, delight, simplicity, confidence and elegance. These aren’t dresses that are forgotten or bored of, they are treasured and collect memories in their swishing skirts.Gabby previously worked at House and Garden. A work trip to India bought unexpected change to her professional path. A block print, a dress, a realisation, a revelation; Daydress was born. After time juggling both House & Garden and Daydress, the fork in the road beckoned and Gabby committed to Daydress full time. The block printing, the femininity, the quality, the independence and purity of her style has enticed a loyal and delightful client base. She now splits her time between the UK and Jaipur and so is beautifully placed to discuss the Indian approach to design, to style, to retail and to doing business.I imagine that Gabby’s joyful outlook and her lightness of touch mean that even working on cashflow and shipping is an elegant act as she sits bedecked in one of her beautiful designs. Anyone who takes an idea and brings it to reality, anyone who takes risks continually, anyone who is committed to their own aesthetic, anyone who does so with charm and grace, that’s the best story to hear.So welcome to Up With The Lark and Daydress. Gabby told me that she finished her work day at dusk on her farm outside Jaipur listening to the evening temple drums – I do hope that wherever you end your day, Gabby’s insights and encouragements with echo for you.Daydress: www.daydress.co.uk

A conversation with Cath Kidston MBE about her new brand, C. Atherley, and the longevity of her creative and commercial success. Most, many or all of us will have interacted with Cath Kidston's products, story and style at some point. It is certainly a story of creativity, of joy, of home, of both a fresh approach and a sense of nostalgia; it is a jewel in the crown of British design. It’s one that expands across the decades, across the globe, across changing styles and trends, across different ways of building brands and doing business. Today we are in the presence of hard won wisdom and someone who has sustained her creativity, and commercial success, for the long term. This is a story that we can all learn a very great deal from.We are very lucky today to be able to ask Cath that uplifting relationship between creativity and longevity. We will explore the igniting and nurturing creativity, the delight of shop keeping, new ideas and good ideas, taking the long view, risk and growth, her latest enterprise of magical British bodycare brand C.Atherley and what the future holds.So, welcome to Up With The Lark and Cath Kidston MBE. I’d suggest paper and pencil for this one, there are some insights worthy of scribbling down on their way. C.Atherley: www..c-atherley.comUp With The Lark: www.upwiththelark.com

A discussion with eyewear designer and founder of Soho Bespoke, on the relationship of form and function. A few weeks ago, I stood in a spectacles shop trying on new frames. I found myself selecting a simple gold-rimmed wire pair. And in the mirror, I was reminded—which, I'll admit, took me by surprise—of four-year-old Calandre wearing something very similar, thanks to the design decisions of the NHS. And so today's conversation is perfectly timed. It is one about the relationship between form, function, and fashion.Most creative entrepreneurs exist at this intersection most of the time. They are drawing together their creative ideas and ideals, colours, materials, combinations, and methods alongside the practical need for things to 'work'. I am quite sure that this tension creates excellence—and, I am sure, many an existential crisis.We are joined today by Charlie Ingham, founder of Soho Bespoke, an eyewear design consultancy. Charlie designs spectacles for both opticians and fashion brands. She works from concept to sampling and manufacture across the UK, Europe, and Asia. With clients including JW Anderson, Margaret Howell, Cubitts and Nanushka, I can safely say Charlie has just the insight we are looking for on this topic.We are going to explore the eyewear industry and the fine craft of spectacle making. We will consider the importance of function, understanding, and science before looking at the dynamics of look and feel. Finally, we will debate their combination and connection.

The last decade has seen a great deal of change around the interrelationship of digital and bricks and mortar across the creative industries. Disciples of each approach are plentiful but for most, it’s all about the hybrid.It’s about acquiring, delighting and retaining customers in both formats. It is frankly acrobatic to keep both elements flourishing. One of the tools in this hybrid toolbox is the Pop Up. And that is what we are going to be exploring in this episode with Rachel Carvell-Spedding founder of British Knitwear Brand, Navygrey.Navygrey is as classic as its namesake. Timeless. Unrippled by trends and fads. A jumper to see you through the seasons, chapters and styles of life. Whether a blustery Norfolk beach, pacing down High St Islington or by the fire in the pub, these jumpers work. Carefully designed and carefully presented with B Corp approval this is a brand growing in stature.And in amongst it all, it has been Popping Up. In great spaces and places, connecting with their audience and telling the stories that matter most to them. I am looking forward to asking about wool, about Made In Britain, about what growth looks like at this point of the business, the ever lasting power of bricks and mortar and the secrets to popping up well. Navygrey: www.navygrey.co

In this episode, we are exploring the alchemy, the mystery and the magic of partnerships. For me it is such an intriguing element of creativity and of entrepreneurship. How do they work? Is it about divide and conquer? is it about contrast, connection and friendship? How are decisions made and conflicts resolved? How can you nurture and enliven them in the long term? How do they impact creativity? Can they be more profitable? Faster moving? More impactful? We are very lucky that in this episode we are joined by Arabella Preston and Charlotte Semler co-founders of two brands - Votary and Verden. Both of these brands are elegant, intelligent, considered and clean. Both have strong identities, stories and frankly cult followings. This is the story of a professional relationship that became a friendship. A chance conversation about skincare became a walk around the Selfridges beauty hall and then that moment of 'shall we?'. Skincare brand Votary was launched in 2015 and thrived. Some years later in 2021, Verden was launched offering fragrance for bath, body and home.We are going to explore these two exemplary brands, their story, their interrelationship and the partnership that binds all of this together. So if you have ever had that moment of wondering about someone that you would like to go into business with or if you are ten years down the line and simply interested to know how others share decisions, celebrate their differences and relate to risk and to failure and chance, then this is for you. Votary: www.votary.co.ukVerden: www.verden.world