Tribute to my Mum

I know this may seem like an odd blog to write but I wanted to honour my dear mum who sadly passed away in August. She died peacefully in her bed aged 89. She was a huge inspiration to me and it was her elegant style that sewed the nascent seed of Shibumi. 

When I started Shibumi she thought I was ' off my head ' trying to start a business in India. Little did she know... Once I had sent her a shawl to see the stunning workmanship ( to prove I hadn't gone mad ) she was sold. I was broke at the time and mum decided to help me out and invited lots of friends around to her house to have a look at the shawls. Practically all the shawls sold and my mind then buzzing with ideas, Shibumi was born. 

My mother was an incredible artist and designer, she was rather self effacing and thought she was rubbish even though she got 100% whilst studying at the Paris College of Fashion in 1955! Here are some of what she called her 'doodles' above and below.

She had a huge amount of much talent and a remarkable eye for style but being a single mother in the 50's had it's struggles and so her path took her to another marriage, luckily to my dad. Her designing and art sadly mostly slipped away in the expectations of a wife and mother but her style, she always kept. 

She was a catwalk model for the Victor Stiebel fashion house in her early 20's and after she passed away we found these stunning photos of her that she had never shown us! Waist 23'' ! Yikes. 

My mother drew her own designs, created her own patterns, made the pieces and then modeled them. I intend to honour her by bringing some of her designs to life over the next few years. 

Some of my mothers talent would have been passed down from my Grandmother Ruth who I was named after. She was an exceptional couturier and I used to watch her in awe when I was a child mesmerised by how she could literally bring a piece of fabric together and drape it around me to make a dress on the spot. Here is a photo of her in her wedding dress that she designed in the early 1900's and made herself. It's a bit blurry but you get the idea. Very cool. 

My mum has supported me all the way and been my biggest fan. Thank you Mumma, I hope I will continue to channel my mothers and grandmothers creativity. Clearly my daughter Coco is embodying this as she is already designing and has also made some embroidery for Shibumi ( Mode and Iris are both her patterns ) and studying fashion textiles for A level. I feel very blessed to be part of this family line and long may it continue.. Thank you to all everyone who has stayed loyal to the brand and followed my journey. Love to you all! 

P.S My dad was also a Shibumi fan! 

I miss them both so very much. 

With Love, Ruth