Cath Kidston

 

 

In 1993, aged 34 and with just £15,000, Cath Kidston opened her first 'Cath Kidston' shop in London's Holland Park. She began by selling vintage fabrics, wallpapers and brightly-painted junk furniture inspired by fond memories from her childhood.

"I saw a gap in the market for fun, vintage product, not the grand, serious antiques and brown furniture of my parents' generation or the much stylised modern minimalist look that was popular then, but something lighter, more fun and more affordable".

Gradually Cath began to design her own prints and products. One of the first was a printed ironing board cover - practical, quirky and with a distinctive floral print, it has come to epitomize the Cath Kidston look. Her clever, witty re-working of traditional English country house style and her love of all things vintage meant that her shop soon became a cult success.

The product base has now expanded steadily to include an extensive range of homewares as well as women's fashion and accessories and the 2008 launch of the Cath Kids brand. Various ranges are manufactured under license by companies including Churchill China and Fulton Umbrellas. Cath's aim has always been to create well-priced, good quality products that are fun, practical and original.

Currently there are 41 Cath Kidston shops and concessions in the UK, two shops in the Republic of Ireland, fifteen in Japan and four in Korea. In October 2009 the company opened its first airport shop at London Heathrow's Terminal 4. The most recent shop openings include Manchester in the UK, with additional new stores due to open in Japan and Korea throughout April.

Cath Kidston Ltd is one of the most influential and original design companies to emerge from the UK in recent years and has expanded steadily to become the unique international lifestyle brand it is today.