EFM: When and where were you when you had that "light-bulb" moment to create the laptop, blackberry covers, and travel
bags?

CC: I was in a coffee shop & met a woman who had had a sample pink laptop bag made in China and I got chatting with her about how there were no laptop bag accessories specifically for women. She was considering doing something for the teen/entry level market and this got me thinking about women, such as myself, who might be more interested in fashionable & well designed accessories at the luxury end of the market. I always hated having to carry a dour black,
bulky laptop bag- it always seemed to ruin my outfit and there was certainly nothing on the market which was a statement accessory for all my digital technology. This is where the idea for Violet May began.

EFM: Who motivated you or who inspired you to follow your dream and vision?

CC: I had always wanted to have my own business & loved the idea of being able to combine a life long passion for the fashion & luxury goods industry with a business idea- I was born to do Violet May! I have been lucky to have a lot of encouraging influences along the way including a business coach who helped me remove any final remaining blocks (which were just really fears) to me going for it! I am so glad that I did.

EFM: The name "Violet May" has such a ring to it; it’s pleasing and soothing to the ear. I read and heard how you came about the name "Violet May". Can you tell us what caused you to name your company Violet May after your Grandmother's name?

CC: I named it after my Grandma because it felt right plane & simple. She was of a generation of women who did not have the same opportunities as my generation and I think that if she had she could have been a business leader in her own right- she was a force to be reckoned!

EFM: I also read that some of your proceeds go towards the "Violet May Creative Seed Fund" which supports female entrepreneurs.  Can you tell us in detail how the Violet May Creative Seed Fund came about?

CC: The idea behind the Violet May Creative Seed Fund is to give something back and to encourage more women into entrepreneurship- one of the biggest hurdles is accessing finance so the seed fund will be a backup for incoming female entrepreneurs who just need that initial seed money to get her business idea off the ground. We will run the first business plan competition at the end of this year and hope to have a big name sponsor on board with us to raise it’s profile. Along with the cash I will personally mentor the winner.

EFM: I have some favorites that I love from your collection such as; the Laptop Bag (gold python), Travel Bag (black andzebra), Clutch Bag (black and lilac). The Laptop Bags LLOYD is by far an eye catcher and very crafty.  Can you enlighten us on how the design and concept came about for the LLOYD collection?

CC: The LLOYD bag is actually our very first design - we wanted to do something that would visually convey the idea of “luxury carry-wear” for your digital lifestyle so the use of an expensive silk taffeta strap provided the idea of something that could be a statement piece in your wardrobe. We also used a satin lining in the white leather case in a contrasting colour which has become a signature element to the Violet May style lexicon. Our customers tell us they love the luxurious feel of slipping their laptop into a padded satin case.

EFM: Would you like to share with us a glimpse of what we should expect for your next collection?

CC: Violet May London introduces the Spring/Summer collection 2009 for the Blackberry Purse – Anthracite, Pearl, and Cobalt Blue.

The precious materials collection draws inspiration from the lustre & beauty of nature. The new collection has been designed with fabulous functionality in mind. In three gorgeous neutrals, the handcrafted purses made in Spain, delivers the highest quality embossed leather in a sting ray finish, all lovingly accented with snake embossed leather in a hot molten pink colour way.
The iridescent quality of Pearl, the luster of Anthracite and the metallic glimmer of oxidised Cobalt Blue, dramatises the refraction and reflection of light on new spring skies and warm twilight eves. Perfect as a daytime purse holding all your busy working needs whilst doubling as a glamorous glimmering clutch for those long summer nights.

Watch Violet May at London Fashion Week 21st - 23rd February 2009.

To view Violet May London collections. www.violetmaylondon.com