For Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia, founder of Beaumont Organic, fashion isn't just about feeling good, it's about doing good.
A designer, entrepreneur, and director all in one, she's devoted her career to sustainable (and sophisticated) designs with a modern twist. And it's safe to say, we've been admirers for quite some time.
Like all journeys, Hannah's was one of resilience – selling samples from shop door-to-door and using the setbacks she encountered in the early days as fuel for her vision. Thirteen years on – and with Beaumont stocked in 12 countries and 150 stores (including yours truly) – we caught up to talk inspiration, hopes for the future and building a brand with purpose.
Role Models
(& Sustainability)
with Hannah
Beaumont-Laurencia
Who is Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia? How would you describe yourself?
I’m a 37-year-old female entrepreneur from Manchester, and the founder and director of Beaumont Organic. I’m hugely passionate about conscious living and it transcends into all aspects of my life. From my morning routine of yoga, journaling and meditation, to the purchases I make, products I use, healthy eating and self-care. I hugely believe that choosing a conscious lifestyle comes from within.
What is Beaumont Organic?
Beaumont Organic is my brainchild, a sustainable clothing brand paving the way for fashion to have a more sustainable future. We do this by creating contemporary conscious clothing for the modern woman.
Why and how did you start Beaumont Organic?
I founded Beaumont Organic in 2008 after a year working at Monsoon in their HQ, and several high street internships throughout university. During this time, I became aware of how the industry worked and began educating myself on the environmental and social impact the fashion industry was having on the world. At the time I was a big shopper, but this gradually changed as I became more conscious of my purchases and lifestyle. I started looking for beautiful sustainable fashion options and I found my search led to very few brands I would like to wear. There was (in my opinion) a need to create a brand with a purpose. Most importantly I also had a love of clothing, the environment, and ethics.
The 'how' was a little more challenging in the beginning – trying to sell eco clothing on the phone was difficult, so I had samples made from a factory in Portugal and set out in my car knocking on shop doors to sell them. Until people touched the product and met me it was very hard to convince them. It was a hard slog with many knock-backs, but every order made me more determined that there was a need and that I was on the right path.
I’m a 37-year-old female entrepreneur from Manchester, and the founder and director of Beaumont Organic. I’m hugely passionate about conscious living and it transcends into all aspects of my life. From my morning routine of yoga, journaling and meditation, to the purchases I make, products I use, healthy eating and self-care. I hugely believe that choosing a conscious lifestyle comes from within.
What is Beaumont Organic?
Beaumont Organic is my brainchild, a sustainable clothing brand paving the way for fashion to have a more sustainable future. We do this by creating contemporary conscious clothing for the modern woman.
Why and how did you start Beaumont Organic?
I founded Beaumont Organic in 2008 after a year working at Monsoon in their HQ, and several high street internships throughout university. During this time, I became aware of how the industry worked and began educating myself on the environmental and social impact the fashion industry was having on the world. At the time I was a big shopper, but this gradually changed as I became more conscious of my purchases and lifestyle. I started looking for beautiful sustainable fashion options and I found my search led to very few brands I would like to wear. There was (in my opinion) a need to create a brand with a purpose. Most importantly I also had a love of clothing, the environment, and ethics.
The 'how' was a little more challenging in the beginning – trying to sell eco clothing on the phone was difficult, so I had samples made from a factory in Portugal and set out in my car knocking on shop doors to sell them. Until people touched the product and met me it was very hard to convince them. It was a hard slog with many knock-backs, but every order made me more determined that there was a need and that I was on the right path.
Thinking about your personal journey, when did your interest in fashion begin?
Definitely from a very early age. I was always the one in the ‘creative’ outfits at parties – belting, twisting and tucking things to make them my own. I did quite a bit of making in my teens, both for myself and to sell in local stores. Denim handbags made from old jeans were quite the trend in the 90s, so I made and sold many of them. I have always been very creative and very entrepreneurial – it’s just the way my brain ticks. I am dyslexic and fashion and textiles were very welcome subjects at school, away from the traditional teaching. I then went on to study Fashion and Textiles Marketing at university which I also really enjoyed.
When do you think you started moving towards a more conscious lifestyle? And why?
Interestingly, I believe it was already ‘in me’ in my teens and perhaps before. When all my friends had colourful rooms I wanted to change mine to be cream and minimal, a space I could re-energise in, and equally at university I did the same. Now, living in a conscious way I know that this is one of the aspects that I have always lived by. Living without clutter, knickknacks, and clear of anything that either doesn’t bring joy or have a purpose.
I practised this to the extreme in 2000 when I took a gap year to Fiji. Packing only one suitcase for the year ahead and knowing none of the other gap year group, I set off on my biggest adventure to date. The trip saw me living on Taveuni working as a Maths teacher (one of my best subjects) at a small village school. I was partnered with Hannah, a lady who still today is one of my closest friends, and we lived together in a wooden hut with an outdoor toilet, cold water to bathe in and lots of local friends (rats, lizards, you name it). The trip taught me one of my biggest life lessons on happiness, kindness, and gratitude. It opened my eyes to how others in the world live and true authentic happiness.
My largest shift has come since setting up Beaumont Organic and it’s without doubt, still a journey now. My knowledge of the fashion industry has made me question and investigate all industries, and this naturally leads down a much more conscious path. It’s also led me to meet peers on the same path, connecting with like-minded people is so important to continue evolving.
Definitely from a very early age. I was always the one in the ‘creative’ outfits at parties – belting, twisting and tucking things to make them my own. I did quite a bit of making in my teens, both for myself and to sell in local stores. Denim handbags made from old jeans were quite the trend in the 90s, so I made and sold many of them. I have always been very creative and very entrepreneurial – it’s just the way my brain ticks. I am dyslexic and fashion and textiles were very welcome subjects at school, away from the traditional teaching. I then went on to study Fashion and Textiles Marketing at university which I also really enjoyed.
When do you think you started moving towards a more conscious lifestyle? And why?
Interestingly, I believe it was already ‘in me’ in my teens and perhaps before. When all my friends had colourful rooms I wanted to change mine to be cream and minimal, a space I could re-energise in, and equally at university I did the same. Now, living in a conscious way I know that this is one of the aspects that I have always lived by. Living without clutter, knickknacks, and clear of anything that either doesn’t bring joy or have a purpose.
I practised this to the extreme in 2000 when I took a gap year to Fiji. Packing only one suitcase for the year ahead and knowing none of the other gap year group, I set off on my biggest adventure to date. The trip saw me living on Taveuni working as a Maths teacher (one of my best subjects) at a small village school. I was partnered with Hannah, a lady who still today is one of my closest friends, and we lived together in a wooden hut with an outdoor toilet, cold water to bathe in and lots of local friends (rats, lizards, you name it). The trip taught me one of my biggest life lessons on happiness, kindness, and gratitude. It opened my eyes to how others in the world live and true authentic happiness.
My largest shift has come since setting up Beaumont Organic and it’s without doubt, still a journey now. My knowledge of the fashion industry has made me question and investigate all industries, and this naturally leads down a much more conscious path. It’s also led me to meet peers on the same path, connecting with like-minded people is so important to continue evolving.
What exactly does conscious living mean to you?
It means living with awareness of all aspects of your life, knowing what your values are and making choices that align with them. A few of my core values are integrity, equality, kindness, gratitude, and perseverance. For me, living consciously has meant slowing down, allowing time to think, reflect, and importantly allowing time for yourself.
Is there anyone that you particularly looked up to or aspired to emulate in any way during the early days of Beaumont Organic?
From a business perspective, my Dad is my biggest aspiration. He always worked so hard and it paid off with him selling his business in his forties and retiring. He, and indeed my Mum both showed we that hard work and a clear goal is a key ingredient to success.
In the fashion industry I have always looked up to Safia Minney, in the early days of Beaumont, People Tree was one of the few brands really making a mark in the eco fashion world and I have huge respect for Safia, her values and the business she has created.
Your brand was one of the early disrupters in the market, showing that slow and conscious ways of designing and buying can be equally (if not more!), stylish than fast, seasonal trends. Were there any difficulties in getting people ‘onboard’?
Well, certainly the early years were challenging. I did a lot of work around educating people, explaining the benefits, showing them the quality. I believe I have been fortunate though – I have been educating, as have the media, and awareness has grown globally for slow fashion. Even the catwalks are now looking at this model favourably and it will only grow more.
It means living with awareness of all aspects of your life, knowing what your values are and making choices that align with them. A few of my core values are integrity, equality, kindness, gratitude, and perseverance. For me, living consciously has meant slowing down, allowing time to think, reflect, and importantly allowing time for yourself.
Is there anyone that you particularly looked up to or aspired to emulate in any way during the early days of Beaumont Organic?
From a business perspective, my Dad is my biggest aspiration. He always worked so hard and it paid off with him selling his business in his forties and retiring. He, and indeed my Mum both showed we that hard work and a clear goal is a key ingredient to success.
In the fashion industry I have always looked up to Safia Minney, in the early days of Beaumont, People Tree was one of the few brands really making a mark in the eco fashion world and I have huge respect for Safia, her values and the business she has created.
Your brand was one of the early disrupters in the market, showing that slow and conscious ways of designing and buying can be equally (if not more!), stylish than fast, seasonal trends. Were there any difficulties in getting people ‘onboard’?
Well, certainly the early years were challenging. I did a lot of work around educating people, explaining the benefits, showing them the quality. I believe I have been fortunate though – I have been educating, as have the media, and awareness has grown globally for slow fashion. Even the catwalks are now looking at this model favourably and it will only grow more.
What were some of the other hurdles you’ve faced in setting up the brand?
There have been a lot, but I see them as learning curves. ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’, has to be one. In the early days we sold a lot in Japan and before I knew it over 80% of the business was weighted there through one distributor. It wasn’t a healthy business model to be in and after a disagreement when they threatened to pull the business, we were in a very vulnerable position. We now stock over 150 stores in 12 countries – a much healthier spread!
What is your hope for the future of sustainable fashion and production?
We all have a part to play for sustainable fashion to have a future, and the tide has definitely turned in the last decade. Governments must play a more active role regulating and improving standards from field to fashion, ensuring every stage of production genuinely puts the environment and people first. This can be easily achieved by teaming up with the likes of the Global Organic Textile Standard.
My hope is that one day sustainable fashion becomes the norm and that all production is made in this way – that’s my dream.
What does being a role model mean to you?
It means leading by example. Trust, inspiring, making impactful changes, empowering, someone who believes in their vision and follows through whatever the challenges.
There have been a lot, but I see them as learning curves. ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’, has to be one. In the early days we sold a lot in Japan and before I knew it over 80% of the business was weighted there through one distributor. It wasn’t a healthy business model to be in and after a disagreement when they threatened to pull the business, we were in a very vulnerable position. We now stock over 150 stores in 12 countries – a much healthier spread!
What is your hope for the future of sustainable fashion and production?
We all have a part to play for sustainable fashion to have a future, and the tide has definitely turned in the last decade. Governments must play a more active role regulating and improving standards from field to fashion, ensuring every stage of production genuinely puts the environment and people first. This can be easily achieved by teaming up with the likes of the Global Organic Textile Standard.
My hope is that one day sustainable fashion becomes the norm and that all production is made in this way – that’s my dream.
What does being a role model mean to you?
It means leading by example. Trust, inspiring, making impactful changes, empowering, someone who believes in their vision and follows through whatever the challenges.
We imagine in setting up and running Beaumont Organic, you have met, employed and nurtured people who have worked in less-sustainable models of fashion design and production. Can you tell us a bit about that?
Beaumont Organic is based in Manchester, which is a big city for fast fashion. Interestingly though, everyone I have met or who has joined the team from less sustainable businesses is joining with even more conviction and love for slow fashion. I really believe that once you understand the reality of fast fashion you are converted for life.
How important is it to be a role model (and to look for role models) in this respect?
I think it’s really important to surround yourself with people who lift you up and encourage you to live better. For me, being a role model is about leading the change, and I believe this is part of my responsibility as a sustainable business owner. If I can be one of the role models who has started a wave of people living consciously and making changes in their life, then I am succeeding, because together we can make a difference.
Do you have any words of encouragement for anyone who is keen to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle but might be intimidated by where to start?
Take one small step at a time. It’s a journey. It's about making small changes that become a habit and growing from there.
Beaumont Organic is based in Manchester, which is a big city for fast fashion. Interestingly though, everyone I have met or who has joined the team from less sustainable businesses is joining with even more conviction and love for slow fashion. I really believe that once you understand the reality of fast fashion you are converted for life.
How important is it to be a role model (and to look for role models) in this respect?
I think it’s really important to surround yourself with people who lift you up and encourage you to live better. For me, being a role model is about leading the change, and I believe this is part of my responsibility as a sustainable business owner. If I can be one of the role models who has started a wave of people living consciously and making changes in their life, then I am succeeding, because together we can make a difference.
Do you have any words of encouragement for anyone who is keen to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle but might be intimidated by where to start?
Take one small step at a time. It’s a journey. It's about making small changes that become a habit and growing from there.
Who would you say your personal role models are today and how do they influence or nurture you?
In business, one of mine is Mara Hoffham. Her values always transcend into everything she does, and I love that about her. She reminds me to always stay true to mine. I have already mentioned my parents, and I have to say still to this day my Mum's voice influences me when I am down. She used to always say to me, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again!’ and I’ve certainly done that.
Finally, my grandma, one of the most stylish people I know! I do hope I’m as fabulous as her at 91. My Grandma lived through the Holocaust as a Jew in France and has had a tough life. She has shared many a story with me through the years, but one of many things that she has taught me is to focus on the positive, pick yourself up when you’re down, and keep going.
Which of your role models will you be buying a token of appreciation for this Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day?
My Mum and my Grandma. Mum would love the Unity Jumpsuit, she’s only 5ft 2 so looks very cute in an all-in-one, and Grandma would suit the Nicky Joggers – she loves a wide-leg.
Follow Hannah’s journey on Instagram @hannahbeaumontlaurencia.
Photography by @emmabeaumont10.
In business, one of mine is Mara Hoffham. Her values always transcend into everything she does, and I love that about her. She reminds me to always stay true to mine. I have already mentioned my parents, and I have to say still to this day my Mum's voice influences me when I am down. She used to always say to me, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again!’ and I’ve certainly done that.
Finally, my grandma, one of the most stylish people I know! I do hope I’m as fabulous as her at 91. My Grandma lived through the Holocaust as a Jew in France and has had a tough life. She has shared many a story with me through the years, but one of many things that she has taught me is to focus on the positive, pick yourself up when you’re down, and keep going.
Which of your role models will you be buying a token of appreciation for this Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day?
My Mum and my Grandma. Mum would love the Unity Jumpsuit, she’s only 5ft 2 so looks very cute in an all-in-one, and Grandma would suit the Nicky Joggers – she loves a wide-leg.
Follow Hannah’s journey on Instagram @hannahbeaumontlaurencia.
Photography by @emmabeaumont10.