noticed is how much more tactile people are becoming. There’s a real desire to use our hands again—not just for typing on keyboards or tapping phones, but to actually make things. Crafting has become a kind of quiet rebellion against screen time. We’re opening our first brick-andmortar store this September, and I’ve been spending a lot of time on-site. Just a few doors down is the sweetest little knitting shop with huge windows, and I’ve loved watching the community that gathers there. During the day, schoolaged kids pop in, excited to choose yarn and tools, and in the evenings, an entire knitting group—mostly older, but incredibly lively—meets to work on their projects. I’ve also been surprised and delighted by how many men are getting involved. One of our close friends, who we had no idea was a knitter, made the most beautiful sweater for my three-year-old! I think people are craving a return to tangible, hands-on creativity—whether that’s knitting, painting, or simply picking up a beautiful fountain pen to write a card or fill a notebook. There’s something deeply satisfying about making things in the real world again. How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking your products? I always recommend that retailers display our pieces as a set. Rather than offering just one pen case in a rainbow of colours, choose two or three key colours and colour-drench a small area—create a vignette with a matching pen cup, trinket box, and notebook or notepad. It instantly creates a warm, cohesive space that draws customers in. Stock with intention. Create a small, inviting world where your customer can imagine their future desk—and if you do, chances are you’ll be reordering every two months. What sets you apart from your competitors? There are so many incredible stationery brands out there, and at trade shows, it often feels more like a supportive community than a competition. What sets us apart, though, is our fearless approach to design and materials. We’re constantly pushing boundaries: experimenting with leather, reimagining shapes, and always aiming for a balance between boldness and elegance. You won’t find just a plain black notebook in our collection; instead, we celebrate wildflowers, fruit, bees—vivid, joyful art brought to life with bold colours and a signature touch of gold. We’re also deeply committed to innovation and sustainability. Our ongoing research into natural alternatives means your next notebook might be made from pineapple skin—or something even more unexpected. We’re driven by a desire to create products that feel good, look beautiful, and tread lightly on the planet. That, we believe, truly sets us apart. Do you visit any trade shows? Do you plan to visit any soon? Yes, we’ve participated in several trade shows, but our favourite is definitely the London Stationery Show. You’ll always find us there. We’re not attending any more this year as our focus is firmly on opening our flagship store in Oxford this September. However, we’re already looking forward to returning to trade shows in 2026. We’re excited to be part of The Gift Fair US, a virtual tradeshow hosted by XPO Fairs. Looking ahead, we plan to attend the LSS again in May 2026, and we’re also considering Maison & Objet in Paris and Home & Gift in Harrogate next summer. There’s plenty to look forward to! What are you looking forward to most over the next year? What I’m most looking forward to this year is building deeper relationships with our stockists and customers. We’re still a young brand, but I genuinely love being hands-on with our customer service—surprising buyers with small gifts, thoughtful notes, and really showing how much we value them being part of this journey. I’m excited for the day when we’re no longer seen as ‘the new kid’, but as a trusted favourite—like that reliable old friend who always brings fresh ideas to the table. That’s the kind of brand I want us to become: dependable, creative, and always full of thoughtful surprises. What new products can we expect from you in the future? We’ve been deliberately holding back on adding fountain and ballpoint pens to our range because we wanted to find the perfect match for our brand. I’m really excited to share what we’ve been working on very soon. So, watch this space. GILDED OF OXFORD Samantha@sales.gildedwords.com www.gildedofoxford.com @gildedofoxford 50
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