{"id":6353,"date":"2026-03-24T16:42:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T16:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6353"},"modified":"2026-03-24T16:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T16:42:08","slug":"introducing-the-women-behind-the-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk\/blog\/introducing-the-women-behind-the-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating International Women’s Day: Introducing the Women Behind the Business"},"content":{"rendered":"
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At Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics, we\u2019re proud to have a fantastic team of remarkable women whose creativity, care, and craftsmanship shape everything we create. This International Women\u2019s Day, we\u2019re shining a spotlight on the women behind the business to share their stories, their skills, and the invaluable roles they play in bringing our fabrics, and our values, to life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Back (left to right): Tania, Zoe, Beth, Rose, Clio<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Front (left to right): Hayley, Vanessa, Izzy, Ian<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vanessa, Rose, Flora & Clio: A family affair\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Vanessa\u2019s business has always been a family story at its heart. And at the centre of it all is Vanessa herself; she\u2019s the founder and creative force behind everything we create.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vanessa started her business at her kitchen table 25 years ago. Our brand has now blossomed into a household name in British interior design; and throughout it all, Vanessa\u2019s journey has been entwined with her two daughters Rose and Flora.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vanessa<\/p>\n

Vanessa has experienced her fair share of challenges, however. \u201cIn early 2017, I had a fall which left me with two broken arms, unable to hold a pencil,\u201d recalls Vanessa. \u201cBut it was with the support of my daughters that I was able to bring out a collection at all that year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rose and Flora have become an integral part of the creative process in recent years, with their artwork bringing a fresh and expressive dimension to Vanessa\u2019s collection. <\/span>Wild and Free<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Sepals and Petals<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>For the Love of Rose<\/span><\/a> were all designed in collaboration with her two daughters. Rose also creates beautiful <\/span>still life paintings<\/span><\/a> that can be seen on display in our Cirencester showroom and in our photoshoots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, watching my daughters branch out to become artists and entrepreneurs in their own right is its own reward\u201d, explains Vanessa.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Clio Arbuthnott has also become a key part of the business in recent years. A former <\/span>Sunday Times<\/span><\/i> journalist turned Forest School teacher, and married to Vanessa\u2019s eldest son George, Clio brings a fresh perspective along with a love of the natural world. She now leads the marketing side of the business, helping to share the story and spirit of the brand with a wider audience, as its storytelling continues to evolve across digital platforms. She enjoys the depictions of animals and birds in Vanessa\u2019s fabrics, and loves how her curtains made from <\/span>Song Birds<\/span><\/a> look<\/span> in her home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura Spencer: Colourist and production coordinator<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Laura has been part of Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics since the very beginning. As a colourist and production coordinator, she works closely with Vanessa to transfer her hand-drawn designs into beautifully balanced, repeatable patterns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Laura<\/p>\n

Laura\u2019s role requires both technical precision and artistic sensitivity; she understands exactly where each motif should sit, and how to make each design feel organic. She has a fantastic level of attention to detail which helps give Vanessa\u2019s fabrics their signature softness \u2013 and seeing all that hard work pays off gives her a real sense of achievement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Laura\u2019s favourite design is <\/span>Wild and Free<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThis type of art is my favourite as it looks very childlike, simple and innocent\u201d, explains Laura.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sally Denning: Stylist-come-creative director<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sally has been a stylist at Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics for over 15 years. \u201cVanessa approached me to refresh her brochure and photography when I was heavily pregnant. I explained that I was about to have a baby, but she wasn\u2019t phased, so I brought him along with a car load of props, flowers and furniture!\u201d Sally recalls fondly.<\/span><\/p>\n