28 S MAGAZINE ★ 4 AUGUST 2019
definitely been a huge part of the
creative process and helped us
enormously,” she says.
Stephanie, who gave birth to
baby Ben eight months ago, adds,
“I chose bag styles that I would
personally buy and use, that offer
both practicality and style and
added a touch of Hettie to them.
As dogs are a huge part of our
lives (the couple have a Labrador
and patterjack), it made sense
to try and incorporate them and
make it a lifestyle brand, for all
of the family to enjoy.
“My husband Tom is a great
photographer and specialises in
reportage style. His eye for natural
photographs has really helped
make our branding soft, subtle
and exactly right.”
Wanting a quintessentially
English name, the trio agreed on
Hettie – the shortened version of
Henrietta, which has always been
a family favourite. They set about
investigating who could make the
fabrics, deciding on one of the
best in the business, Abraham
Moon, established in 1837, theanother son, James, explains,
“Hettie was born with our family
brainstorming over dinner in this
stunning part of the country about
how we could work together in a
business, share our passions and
utilise all of the skills, knowledge
and experiences that we have.”
The family was inspired by
the environment. “We live in
the beautiful countryside of
Warwickshire and have many
stunning walks and villages right
on our doorstep,” says Sian. “We
wanted to design and make a
country-inspired collection, and
a range of accessories seemed
the perfect way to start.”
Sian, who is married to her
second husband, Ian, whose
expertise has proved helpful
thanks to his background in
logistics, had many meetings with
her son and daughter-in-law.
“Steph made some samples
and we visited a lovely
manufacturing team in Blackburn
to chat about the best way to
make them. We’ve worked with
them ever since and they’vespending time together out in the
countryside with our beloved
dogs,” the former pharmacist
says. “A few years ago we were
having one of our many family
suppers and the idea for Hettie
just seemed to come together.”
Former teacher Tom, who also
owns a photography business,
his wife Stephanie, who runs an
interiors’ business, and Sian
spotted a gap in the market for
high-end accessories for people
and their canine companions.
They were committed to ensuring
the brand was quintessentially
English and used UK-made fabrics
for their range of products.
“It just made sense,” says
Tom. “Us British are renowned
for being so in love with our dogs.
But we noticed there was a lack
of beautiful products that both
owners and pooches would love.”
Taking in the view of rolling hills
and valleys from the garden of
her Grade II-listed home, you can
understand why the family was
inspired to create a classically
English company. Sian, who hasS
ipping a refreshing G&T
surrounded by family
and dogs, including her
“daft” boxer Bruce and
Mabel, a bulldog cross,
Sian Reekie is full of passion. The
glamorous 55 year old, who
together with her son Tom Wood,
28, and daughter-in-law Stephanie,
26, launched hugely successful
accessories company Hettie in
2016, is a staunch believer in the
positives of making the leap from
traditional employment to follow
your dreams.
“Thankfully, the image of work
has changed dramatically over the
past few years,” Sian says. “Flexible
hours have replaced the nine to
five, so there’s never been a better
time to immerse yourself into
doing a career you love or creating
your own. Life’s too short.”
This is exactly what happened
to Sian’s family after striking up
a conversation over a barbecue
in the garden of their 300-year-old
home near the Warwickshire
village of Princethorpe. “As a
family, our main passion isA family
af fair
They say you should
never work with
children or animals.
But Sian Reekie
does both – and
her business is
coming on in
leaps and bounds
Tom and
Stephanie
with baby BenWORDS: LISA BYRNE PHOTOGRAPHS: TOM WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY