A Fresh Start – Inspired by the Beauty of Nature
A change of direction during the lockdown enabled designer Hope Wyatt to start her own business By Hope, which is entirely inspired by nature. Here, we speak to Hope about how her love of plants, flowers and the great outdoors has influenced her new collection of fabrics and frames.
My background is in Fashion Design. I designed for many high street retailers until I was made redundant in the first lockdown in May last year. Turns out this was the best thing to happen, however scary it felt at the time. Every day – like so many others – I was walking and finding so much comfort from being outside in nature. I began picking flowers and researching the process of preserving them by pressing. I was also spending a large portion of my day thinking of what I would cook for dinner and how to make a real event of it! These two lockdown hobbies combined, and I created By Hope in April 2021. It’s a true celebration of nature, and I love bringing my passions into the home to share with others.
My design aesthetic is to create and design things to become modern heirlooms – pieces that will be loved for years to come. I love it when you see pressed flowers from the Victorian era – flower pressing was a hobby of Queen Victoria’s. The flowers are faded, but still hold so much beauty. All our pieces are designed to bring the beauty of the outside in.
All the pieces at By Hope are inspired by nature. Luckily there is a never-ending abundance of inspiration to be found outside! I also love trawling antique shops – my kitchen cupboards are bursting at the seams with homeware bits I have found in various places, I can’t resist a vintage ceramic platter, a salad bowl or embroidered napkins!
I have found having quality time outside has become an essential part of my everyday wellbeing, especially over the last year, I wanted to celebrate this and find a way to share this with others. Flowers hold so much beauty, it fascinates me, I hope that our designs do this justice.
Our range consists of pressed flower frames and table linens (tablecloths, runners & napkins). The frames are made by hand in Cornwall, where I am from, and assembled by me. It is like arranging a bunch of flowers that will last forever. I pick flowers and foliage from my own garden, although I have been known to raid the gardens of family and friends too. A few extras are purchased from New Spitalfields Market, and all are preserved using the traditional method of flower pressing.
Our table linens are made from gorgeous washed European linen and made in Lithuania, and are hand painted for By Hope. I want you to feel like you have a work of art on your table. We also offer a bespoke service, where we can design something that is unique to you.
With nature at the heart of the collection, giving back to the environment is super important. All our packaging is carefully sourced to be recyclable and/or biodegradable, and a tree is planted for every batch of mailer boxes we order. It is also important to me that all our pieces are designed to last for a long time, so we have used the best quality materials and craftsmanship to ensure they last.
I grew up in Cornwall and now live in East London. My childhood in Cornwall instilled in me a love of the outdoors, which has never left. I was so eager to move to London to study Fashion, but now I feel incredibly lucky when I get to go home to Cornwall.
I have been a vegetarian my whole life and this has given me an appreciation of nature. I have started growing veg, herbs and edible flowers – there is nothing more satisfying than popping into the garden to pick something to eat that you have grown yourself.
My business is new, but I am so thankful and appreciative of the support I have received. We have new designs launching later this year, which I can’t wait to share. I love this new journey I am on – what could be better than bringing beautiful pieces inspired by nature into people’s homes?
@by.hope.home
