When it comes to celebrating makers and creators, we have a history of going all in. Emerging designers, seasoned craftsperson, in-house talent or someone we’re proud to call a collaborator and friend, our mission is to champion the beauty in and the talented people who make it so.
Today we’re spotlighting London-based designer Louise Jackson, co-founder of the iconic, Notting Hill-based powerhouse, The Jacksons.
In ordinary circumstances, you’d find Louise splitting her time between her hometown of London or working alongside a large rural community of skilled artisans in Bangladesh, producing an array of bright, joy-filled designs, including the iconic ‘word’ jute bag. One of Louise’s biggest aims is to provide more employment opportunities amongst the group she works with.
Scroll on to get to know The Jacksons.
Meet the Maker:
Louise Jackson
The Jacksons’ co-founder talks all things colour,
crafts, and clever bags.
Are you able to introduce yourself…
I live with my husband and teenage sons in London. I spend a part of each year working in Bangladesh with a large rural community of artisans designing and producing jute bags and placemats, funny Christmas decorations of Bowie and the Bee Gees and beaded purses – anything I can think of to provide more employment amongst the groups that I work with.
Where did The Jacksons begin?
It was complete luck – I made a pair of flip flops which I had covered with artificial flowers. I showed them to a friend who then introduced me to a Japanese agent and suddenly I had a little workshop on my hands where I employed all my friends and most of my family. We glued flowers on flip flops day and night this was the beginning of the Jacksons.
Your career started in costume design, what made you switch paths?
I loved dressing up and I couldn’t understand why elegant accessories from the 1800s couldn’t be reinvented for now. So, I recreated fur stoles out of fake fur and sheepskin and sold them at my first London Fashion Week.
Are there any elements from the costume design world that have made into The Jacksons?
Certainly, in the past my design influence was always from theatre and historical fashion, and I am currently trying to make our shop in All Saints Road a must more dramatic and energetic feel to it!
I live with my husband and teenage sons in London. I spend a part of each year working in Bangladesh with a large rural community of artisans designing and producing jute bags and placemats, funny Christmas decorations of Bowie and the Bee Gees and beaded purses – anything I can think of to provide more employment amongst the groups that I work with.
Where did The Jacksons begin?
It was complete luck – I made a pair of flip flops which I had covered with artificial flowers. I showed them to a friend who then introduced me to a Japanese agent and suddenly I had a little workshop on my hands where I employed all my friends and most of my family. We glued flowers on flip flops day and night this was the beginning of the Jacksons.
Your career started in costume design, what made you switch paths?
I loved dressing up and I couldn’t understand why elegant accessories from the 1800s couldn’t be reinvented for now. So, I recreated fur stoles out of fake fur and sheepskin and sold them at my first London Fashion Week.
Are there any elements from the costume design world that have made into The Jacksons?
Certainly, in the past my design influence was always from theatre and historical fashion, and I am currently trying to make our shop in All Saints Road a must more dramatic and energetic feel to it!
You opened the Notting Hill boutique in 1998. How much do you think the British design scene has grown since then?
Obviously, it has changed hugely in last 20 years and there is a much greater interest in small design craftspeople and, most recently, a real drive and interest in sustainability. Thank God time is running out and if we don’t make significant changes the future is not looking too good. So many platforms have made craft-led design more visible and created a culture of a keepsake rather than a throw-away attitude.
What makes London (and Notting Hill) such a special place to set up shop?
All Saints Road is a quiet street with cafés and restaurants and lots of trees, it is an eclectic and multi-cultural neighbourhood. We are a tight-knit community that look out for each other.
How would you describe the British design and art community?
Right now I think they are greatly handicapped by being forced to navigate the complexities of Brexit – don’t get me started.
One of your mantras is “colour is obligatory”, what is it about bold hues that you’re so drawn to?
Colour makes me happy and gives me great joy.
You’ve become particularly known for your “word” jute bags. How did the concept for these first come about?
Honestly, it just came to me one day when I was working in Bangladesh and I taped the word ‘Smile’ onto a bag which worked. I also tried it on a pair of shoes which were never to be seen again!
Obviously, it has changed hugely in last 20 years and there is a much greater interest in small design craftspeople and, most recently, a real drive and interest in sustainability. Thank God time is running out and if we don’t make significant changes the future is not looking too good. So many platforms have made craft-led design more visible and created a culture of a keepsake rather than a throw-away attitude.
What makes London (and Notting Hill) such a special place to set up shop?
All Saints Road is a quiet street with cafés and restaurants and lots of trees, it is an eclectic and multi-cultural neighbourhood. We are a tight-knit community that look out for each other.
How would you describe the British design and art community?
Right now I think they are greatly handicapped by being forced to navigate the complexities of Brexit – don’t get me started.
One of your mantras is “colour is obligatory”, what is it about bold hues that you’re so drawn to?
Colour makes me happy and gives me great joy.
You’ve become particularly known for your “word” jute bags. How did the concept for these first come about?
Honestly, it just came to me one day when I was working in Bangladesh and I taped the word ‘Smile’ onto a bag which worked. I also tried it on a pair of shoes which were never to be seen again!
The “word” jute bags have pioneered a precious relationship between the British design world and the artisan community of south-west Bangladesh. Are you able to tell us about this?
It is a very precious relationship and it started because of the craft but now it has become much more than just about a product. We are intensely involved in the families of the jute bag makers. We contribute to their homes and education. For example, when I first visited Bangladesh, there were 100 women to make jute bags. We now work with over 1000 women and all the daughters now have full education and some of them are going on to university. Our collaboration is making enormous difference to life choices for the women I work with, and it is something we are all hugely proud of.
Are you able to tell us a bit about how these are designed and made?
Ordinarily I would go out with artwork, and I would sit with the dye master and create colours. The new samples would be made while I sat with them. In the last two years none of that has been possible but because we have developed such a strong relationship and understanding, we have continued to sample from our desks in London. I do have up to 20 facetime calls a day.
What is your outlook on the future of British fashion?
I think there are some very interesting small producers and craftspeople around Britain who are able to produce and sell into a loyal British market and currently growing their business in, what is quite a difficult climate. Some Instagram accounts have been instrumental in sourcing and highlighting brilliant small designers based and producing in the UK. I hope this is a trend for British Fashion and so despite Brexit issues, I think through adversity some interesting things will occur.
Finally, if one of your jute bags could speak, what would it say?
I do think of our bags as characters. I think they are warm-hearted, sunny and happy bags that would start up a conversation if you were sitting next to them on a bus. I hope each one comes with a happy fairy that will sprinkle a little bit of ‘joie de vivre’ into your life.
It is a very precious relationship and it started because of the craft but now it has become much more than just about a product. We are intensely involved in the families of the jute bag makers. We contribute to their homes and education. For example, when I first visited Bangladesh, there were 100 women to make jute bags. We now work with over 1000 women and all the daughters now have full education and some of them are going on to university. Our collaboration is making enormous difference to life choices for the women I work with, and it is something we are all hugely proud of.
Are you able to tell us a bit about how these are designed and made?
Ordinarily I would go out with artwork, and I would sit with the dye master and create colours. The new samples would be made while I sat with them. In the last two years none of that has been possible but because we have developed such a strong relationship and understanding, we have continued to sample from our desks in London. I do have up to 20 facetime calls a day.
What is your outlook on the future of British fashion?
I think there are some very interesting small producers and craftspeople around Britain who are able to produce and sell into a loyal British market and currently growing their business in, what is quite a difficult climate. Some Instagram accounts have been instrumental in sourcing and highlighting brilliant small designers based and producing in the UK. I hope this is a trend for British Fashion and so despite Brexit issues, I think through adversity some interesting things will occur.
Finally, if one of your jute bags could speak, what would it say?
I do think of our bags as characters. I think they are warm-hearted, sunny and happy bags that would start up a conversation if you were sitting next to them on a bus. I hope each one comes with a happy fairy that will sprinkle a little bit of ‘joie de vivre’ into your life.