A high-flying business owner quit her job to launch a ‘groovy loungewear’ label following a trip to India.
Kerry Mounsey, 38, from London, launched eponymous brand Verry Kerry, which makes luxury kimonos, loungewear and pyjamas, in 2010 and recently celebrated opening her first store.
The busy first-time mother was working full time when she started making her luxury kimonos, which retail at £115.
Kerry, who has daughter Nala, four, with her partner Francesco, was born and raised in Zambia until she was ten and says her childhood was filled spent ‘mostly barefoot, up a tree or riding horses’ with the sights and smells of the southern African country influencing her flamboyant designs.
Having it all: Kerry Mounsey launched eponymous brand Verry Kerry, which makes luxury kimonos, loungewear and pyjamas, in 2010 and recently opened her first store
The self-confessed former ‘tomboy’ recalled: ‘In Zambia at the time we couldn’t readily buy nice clothes, so we often got things made from a local tailor.
‘From around the age of five I started to get quite involved with it all and would tell my mother what I liked.
‘I loved going for the fittings and the thrill of bringing home the final creations. I suppose that was the beginning of it all.’
She also spent time living in Australia where she studied graphic design in Melbourne and went on to set up her own business.
Despite this, Kerry insists she never saw herself as being ‘into fashion’ – a sentiment that began to change over the years when she struggled to find clothes that she liked.
Inspiration from abroad: Kerry’s first port of call was a trip to India, where she travelled to Delhi with her mother and began visiting local markets to source fabrics (pictured)
During her time in India, Kerry met Mandy, a designer and factory owner whose business follows high ethical standards and whom she has worked with ever since
Hard work: The busy first-time mother was working full time when she started making her luxury kimonos, which retail at £115
Kerry, who has daughter Nala, four (pictured), with her partner Francesco, was born and raised in Zambia until she was ten and says her childhood was filled spent ‘mostly barefoot’
She was working for Brora Scottish Cashmere in London when, encouraged by founder Victoria Stapleton, she decided to launch her own label, began learning more about the fashion industry, and finally took the plunge to go solo.
Kerry’s first port of call was a trip to India, where she travelled to Delhi with her mother and began visiting local markets to source fabrics.
There she met Mandy, a designer and factory owner whose business follows high ethical standards and whom she has worked with ever since.
Kerry was ‘overwhelmed with India’s kindness and continual surprises’ but also struck by some of the negative effects of the clothing industry – notably how it ‘takes advantage of impoverished communities and disregards its own waste’.
Kerry has spent time living in Australia where she studied graphic design in Melbourne and went on to set up her own business
Kerry insists she never saw herself as being ‘into fashion’ – a sentiment that began to change over the years when she struggled to find clothes that she liked
Kerry was ‘overwhelmed with India’s kindness and continual surprises’ but also struck by some of the negative effects of the clothing industry – notably how it ‘takes advantage of impoverished communities and disregards its own waste’.
She recalled: ‘After working non-stop in 45C degrees heat, I returned from India with an incredible determination and I will never forget the feeling of opening the box when the first samples finally arrived.’
In 2010 Kerry began working on her first garments and exhibiting at markets and trade shows.
Thanks to a family loan, topped up with her personal savings, she began to turn her hobby into a business – while simultaneously working a ‘very demanding’ full-time job.
Kerry was working for Brora Scottish Cashmere in London when, encouraged by founder Victoria Stapleton, she decided to launch her own label, began learning more about the fashion industry, and finally took the plunge to go solo (pictured: some of her colourful designs)
Speaking about receiving her fabrics, Kerry said: ‘After working non-stop in 45C degrees heat, I returned from India with an incredible determination and I will never forget the feeling of opening the box when the first samples finally arrived’
Four years on, Kerry has just celebrated opening her first store while her label goes to strength to strength, winning style plaudits from a line-up of fashion bloggers
She played photographer while her friends modelled her first collection, with partner Francesco helping her with the website, often working late into the night on top of her day job.
After daughter Nala was born, Kerry admits tiredenss almost made her doubt herself – but then TV presenter Lauren Laverne featured my Geisha kimono in her Sunday column for a national publication which she ‘took as a sign not to give up’.
‘I’ll never forget the buzz it gave me,’ Kerry said. ‘My partner helped me all along, until he finally quit his full time job to join Verry Kerry.
Kerry’s advice to other mothers wanting to launch their own businesss: ‘Get a good babysitter! You will need it’
After daughter Nala (pictured) was born, Kerry admits tiredenss almost made her doubt herself – but then TV presenter Lauren Laverne featured my Geisha kimono in her Sunday column for a national publication which she ‘took as a sign not to give up’
A great help but a new set of challenges, sacrifices, late nights and of course many a heated argument!’
Four years on, Kerry has just celebrated opening her first store while her label goes to strength to strength, winning style plaudits from a line-up of fashion bloggers.
Her advice to other mothers wanting to launch their own business?
‘Get a good babysitter! You will need it.’