The Nest - Access All Areas

I hope you enjoyed part 1 and part 2 of my interviews with Shian - here is the conclusion!

Do you have any ideas how many bags you have sold?

That’s a good question and would take quite a lot of archive delving to find out! I do know that on an average (non promotional) day at the Nest, there are usually between 3 and 5 purchases which for one person is quite manageable. It gets a bit manic at Sale time, when I draft in hubby to help me, as purchases can spike up to 50 in a single day. Thankfully he’s now a dab hand at gift wrapping, knows his way to the Post Office in his sleep and best of all, he’s free!

What were highlights for you over the last 11 years?

Probably the launch of the website, 5 years ago. It was a bit of a leap of faith setting up on my own as having the massive audience of ebay for so long, it felt like the Nest might be forgotten or overlooked. Thankfully, my lovely and loyal rock bed of clients gave me so much support that within a few months it was obvious that it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Getting on to the first page of Google felt fabulous too as this brings in even more bag-loving folk and lots of people find the Nest via Google images, (the lamps in virtually every Mulberry Search you can do!).

 
Do you have a funny/interesting anecdote to share?
 

Two rather embarrassing incidents spring to mind…..The first one was many, many years ago when I was just starting out on ebay and didn’t have the reams and reams of tissue paper and bubblewrap that I do now. I was photographing a little Mulberry Tyler bag and the closest things to hand to stuff the bag with was from my underwear drawer. I selected some non-holey socks and began snapping away. Of course, when the bag sold and I posted it out I soon realised I’d posted all the socks out with it! The buyer was delighted with the bag and thankfully was in stitches about the socks. (I was just relieved they were some of my better pairs!)

The other incident was shamefully only a few years ago now. The Nest’s Re-use / Recycling policy basically works on the basis that, like me, most people don’t like packaging waste and are happy to receive pre-used cardboard boxes when they buy an item. Being very lucky that my local corner shop saves all their boxes for me, I rather obliviously posted a clients very lovely new LV out in one of these and looked forward to hearing from the her, (as it was a really stunning bag!). The next day she got in touch, absolutely thrilled to bits with her LV…..but…..did I realise the box was from ‘Tena Lady’. Oooops. After much effusive apologies I think my client saw the funny side! (I do now make a conscious check of the origin of the boxes I use now and make sure none of the ones from the Chemist sneak in!)

Do you have any plans for the Nest?  

Just carrying on as I’ve always done really. The last 11yrs has been amazing and I’d love to hope the next 11 will be even better. :) (I might retire then, but I doubt it!)

Well, even if our bank balances (or husbands/boyfriends...) wish you'd close up shop, we sure hope you carry on, Shian! 

Check back for some top tips from Shian on how to make your bag look its best!

What to do in 2012

Thanks to the V&A, the FTM and various other museums and galleries, there is never a shortage of places where you can remind yourself that fashion is more than just clothes. Worthy of an exhibition. Worthy of an auction . Worthy of a major event.

2012 has a few fantastic highlights lined up - even when ignoring LFW! Below just a selection of which ones I would like to attend - whether I can, will largely depend on work commitments and funds...

First up, there is Manolo Blahnik sharing his aesthetic genius at Bath in Fashion on 29th March. In a talk with Ian R. Webb, he'll share his views on fashion, his life story, his inspiration.  This is then followed by an autograph session.

As I live and work in/near Manchester, I am particularly excited about Manchester Fashion Week. From 9th to 14th of April designers will be showcasing their talent and I hope that this will help to continue put Manchester on the fashion map! Sign up now for updates.

More shoes? From 1st May to 9th July you can catch the Christian Louboutin Exhibition at the Design Museum. We are being promised a celebration of "Louboutin's career to date... twenty years of designs and inspiration".  I am particularly exited about the fact that we won't only get to see gorgeous creations on plinths but we'll be able to see behind the scenes, as the master's design process will be explored and revealed - basically from the first idea to production.

Want a look behind the scenes of another truly iconic design house? From 8th to 27th May, you can turn your attention to to another name that has lovers of leather goods all over the world swooning. The Royal Academy of Arts' Leather Forever Hermes exhibition will give a unique insight into the company's history, the goods they design, and into the process of how these iconic pieces are being crafted. Hermes is even bringing a number of their own craftspeople. Should you then wish to take away a "little" memento, you could splash out on one of the four unique bags designed by Hermes to celebrate the exhibition.

Got some spare cash? Fancy some really iconic pieces once worn by the (even more) iconic Daphne Guinness? Well, you're in luck. After having exhibited part of her personal dress collection at the Fashion Institute of Technology last September, she is now going to auction off 100 pieces at Christie's, with all proceeds going to the Isabella Blow Foundation. The auction itself is scheduled for 27th June but even if you can't possibly entertain the thought of forking out a ton for a piece of fashion art, do take advantage of the preview. The Daphne Guinness Collection will be open from 23rd to 27th June at Christie’s.

Towards the end of the year (never too early to plan) the V&A will be treating us to their Hollywood Costume exhibition. The exhibition will run from 20th October 2012 to 27th January 2013 and it is said to explore "the central role costume design plays in cinema storytelling" and will present us with more than 100 of the most iconic movie costumes from across a century of film-making. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz? Tick. Indiana Jones? Tick Jack Sparrow. Tick. Darth Vader? (Not kidding!) Tick. Oh, and - of course - Holly Golightly. The very fact that Darth Vader's outfit will be featuring might mean that dragging your boyfriend to this one could be easier than you ever dared to dream.

So get your diary ready and plan in time for some serious inspiration!