Fashion Business MindsetRenae James, Founder of Papinelle Sleepwear - "When I look back on my career, Covid will be a massive turning point"
In this episode Elizabeth speaks with Renae James, the Founder of Papinelle Sleepwear.
Renae began honing her entrepreneurial drive from an early age.
She always had a strong desire to be in the fashion industry so started her journey studying Fashion Design at the University of Technology Sydney, and graduated with Honours.
Like many Australian designers, Renae launched Papinelle at the Paddington Markets in 2003 with sleepwear designs that quickly brought retail and media attention.
Renae opened her first Papinelle boutique on Oxford Street in Paddington across the road from the Paddington Markets in 2004;
That same year, on a visit to a New York trade show, Renae met Nicki Kelly who was showcasing her own sleepwear brand. They quickly became friends, realising the chemistry and passion they shared in business.
This led to Nicki joining forces with Renae at Papinelle 12 years later.
Today, Papinelle has grown to become a hugely successful brand sold in all Nordstrom doors across the USA, along with their direct to consumer website, and boutiques in Australia and New Zealand.
17 years later, Renae says “its just the beginning...”
It was exciting to speak with a brand that is experiencing a significant uplift in trade during this time as the Sleepwear and Loungewear categories boom globally.
Key Takeaways:
-Set a clear vision and then have a burning desire to get there
-You can't let set backs turn you away from your goals
-Be authentic, stay true to your your aesthetic, have a product you believe in and be persistent
-Have a mission associated with your brand - find your purpose
-Find what excites you and keeps you going
-Weave perks into your work life to keep yourself inspired - such as travel or experiences you enjoy
-It's a journey and no two journey's are the same so don't compare yourself to others.
You can find Papinelle Sleepwear at:
Instagram- @papinellesleepwear
Website - www.papinelle.com/
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