Wow - 2020! What can we all say?
A rollercoaster, a bucking bronco, with added curve balls and secret trap doors?
And that was just the first 6 months!
We feel very blessed to have reached this point of the year with some accomplishments under our belts, all with the support of our community of makers, customers, friends and family.
It has been a tough year for the whole world, and we wanted to focus on the positive things we have been able to make happen, blowing our own trumpet and those of the people we work with.
Our creativity community
We rebranded our events business to help everyone understand that we make products and also curate market events. We also got ourselves some new job descriptions whilst we got our heads around Dapper & Suave becoming our sole job!
We sadly weren't able to host the market at Pippfest this year, but we did host our Autumn market just as second lockdown was announced, giving customers and stallholders alike an opportunity to regroup as a community.
We then hosted two Christmas markets, and exhibited at our first outdoor markets helping to raise money for Cherry Trees charity and Cranleigh Food Bank.
We also collaborated with other great creatives to make three photo shoots happen before lockdown, and another three whilst we all got used to the new "normal".
Check out some of the imagery we helped to create on our YouTube and other social media accounts. We're looking forward to making more magic in 2021!
Expanding our skills
The impact of COVID on the wedding industry has had a wide impact on everyone from suppliers to brides and grooms themselves. We knew that there was going to be a limited market for our handmade bow ties, ties, pocket squares and lapels for Zoom quizzes so we had to adapt.
We've taught ourselves to make hair scrunchies, facemasks and pet accessories, and how to sell them in line with the requirements of 2020, meeting some great customers online and in person. All with fabric in our cupboards that reflects our brand - quirky with a sense of humour!
We even made time to rephotograph our vintage bow ties to give customers an even easier way to shop online from wherever they are in the world!
2021
Those of you who know us, know that we don't really stop!
We will be putting our feet up for a big part of the festive break but we are already bouncing around ideas for what we want to make and curate in 2021.
If you are interested in getting involved, please complete our interest form and tell us about you and what you make. We're really keen to find an even wider variety of products to give choice each time, and to meet makers who will enjoy selling at our markets, sharing their passion with customers and our Curated community.
We'll also be looking at ways to update our product range, and use it as a great excuse to find some new print designs to continue to raise a smile, whatever the occasion.
Stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas!
Rob & Jason
Dapper & Suave