I’m a hopeless romantic, that’s a fact.
Thing is, now I’m a Helpless Romantic too.
Y’see, once-upon-a-summer 2006, the bedroom-based tinkerings of a relatively young girl, reared on a diet of onigiri and manga, made an official, mother ordered, relocation to the basement, in an attempt to stem a house wide epidemic of little creations.
Here in the basement, the tinkerings were free to grow and evolve in new ways. They started calling themselves “helpless romantic”, and taking the girl quite by surprise leapt, at a speed that seemed to resemble that of light, from the basement to new homes, all over the country and beyond!
Describe the girl behind the label, in 5 words…
raised in tokyo with love
When did you know you were a creative girl?
I’m not sure when I knew I was a creative.. but im sure my mother realised the first day at kindergarten when I came back covered in glue and paint.. or maybe before then, when I enhanced her lovely laura ashley walls with delightful crayon artisic impressions of my family?!
I never thought people would actually ever buy the things I made. I used to just give them to friends… and then somehow people started giving me money for them!
What was the first product you ever made?
The first things I made to sell, were probably these little heart badges that were a bunch of stuff and scrap shapes sewn together..
Tell us about your product range, what you got to offer HR?
There are necklaces, head wear, earrings, brooches… and the thing I’m most proud of are these little diamond rings that all the profits go to the soundseekers charity, to help deaf children in the worlds poorest countries, currently Sierra Leone - go buy one now!
What are your current favourite items and what inspires your too-cute designs?
My favourite thing at the moment, is my antique bicycle called madeline, and the “Green Wing” tv series box set which has currently inspired me to make medical paraphernalia-based jewellery…
I think I just make things I would like… but I suppose growing up in Tokyo has really shaped me and my likes.
What’s the secret to your success?
I’m not sure I could say I was a success yet. But my mother has given me more support than I could ever fathom.. but from a bussiness perspective, I think it’s really important to not underestimate anything, and pay close attention to all the details of everything you do… and especially how you present your things.
Are you a business-y girl too?
I try to have a bussiness hat. I’m the most scatter-brained of people, and I’m sure if HR got any bigger, I would be in all sorts of mess. But right now I can just about keep track of everything. It is important to understand all of that though, and I try to keep inventory..
What’s a typical day in the life of a HR-girl…
At the moment its a little bit awkward, and I’m in the worst of sleep patterns.
If I’m lucky I’ll wake up at about 10.30, then check the goings on in my animal crossing village..
then read emails and check orders.
Then I’ll either spend an hour or so making stuff and putting orders together, or I’ll have to head into school.
Im currently writing my dissertation and it’s pretty life ruining, and definately getting in the way of HR things.
After doing some school work, I’ll rope all my housemates into helping me pack boxes.
At the moment I have very little time for designing new things which really upsets me.
What’s been the best experience since setting up?
I enjoyed the time my boyfriend told me that he was out one night and this girl was hitting on him, who was wearing a HR piece. I think she got a bit embarassed when he pointed it out and started talking about me making it…
*hisssssssssss*stay away from my boyshape..
ahem.. I mean it was actually when this really fancy shop in Leeds [no- 15 boutique], that sells Alexander Mcqueen things, asked me if I would be interested in selling in their shop..
What’s your favourite brand and why?
Last time I went to Selfridges, I saw some incredible clothes by “april 77″ I’ve always had a huge love for “retro” things/jackets. Neither of which I can really ever afford.
I like h&m really 
but the best place to find clothes is the bottom of my mothers cupboard.
What would a HR soundtrack sound like?
I am the biggest pop punk geek.
It would sound like a teen movie soundtrack - with some fuzzy clever emo pop.
Do you have a style bible – a magazine, book that you completely dig?
Not at all actually.
I’m yet to even find a style icon I feel akin to.
I read a lot of comics… and really enjoy the stylings of manga characters.
What makes you jump-in-the-air-happy?
The arrival of the Green Wing boxset through my letter box pretty much made me jump circles, but few things make me happier than hearing good tunes to dance to and going on holidays are also in my top 8 of life.
What’s next in HR world?
Im looking to try and branch out with the range of things in HR and do something different with it. Hopefully putting out a comic book..and continuing to try and do something good with charity work. [if you know anyone who would like to make comics, please get in touch]
What advice would you have for would-be design girls – any words of wisdom would be fabulous-o lovely lady!
I’ve always been pretty much a lazy geek and if youre the same, I’d say just do something. Stop putting it off, or making excuses..
it can be hard work but it feels really good to do something and once you are doing something, I’d say it is really important to make sure you pay attention to making sure your everything looks as professional as you can make it.
Check it out: www.helplessromantic.co.uk
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