LDN Meets: An Interview with Meg at Cordelia James

Last updated on March 28th, 2021 at 03:40 pm

Run by mother and daughter duo Zoe and Meg, Cordelia James are a three-door independent womenswear boutique, offering a carefully curated collection of clothing, accessories and homeware. With three shops located in Hawkhurst, Rye and Lewes, 2020 has also seen the boutique launch online at cordeliajames.com, giving them more flexibility with their points of sale. Their highlights on Instagram are testament to the popularity of the online boutique, as well as the faultless customer service offered by Cordelia James!

We caught up (virtually, such is 2020) with Meg to chat all things fashion, website building, and Kamala Harris! I’m a huge advocate of supporting independent businesses, which is more important this Christmas than ever, and this interview gives a fascinating insight into how a thriving fashion business is run.

Meg, talk us through your role at Cordelia James

I joined Cordelia James full time after university, just as the business had opened up its third store in Lewes. My role then was to manage that store and act as a buyer for it with the owner (my Mum). Over the four years we have been there, I am now a director of the business and my roles include everything from shop floor manager, stylist and sales assistant, to window dresser and merchandiser. I also am a buyer for all three stores and online alongside Mum. I do the admin for our in-store epos tills and stock management, as well as staff management for all three stores. I built and run our online boutique, modelling the clothes and uploading all the products, as well as running our social media platforms. Crikey – that’s a lot when put down on paper!

“Cordelia James in three words: Independent Fun Fashion“

How have Cordelia James had to adjust during the pandemic?

Gosh, having to close three stores was a huge blow. We’ve never been told to not trade before so this was a new one for us. I took the time and used it as an opportunity to finally get our business online. I built our ecommerce website during the first lockdown which has gone from strength to strength and has been a lifeline for us. We have also become a lot more active on social media, with daily videos and chats to keep Cordelia James in our customers’ minds.

What does a typical day in the shop look like?

This one is hard; there is no typical day for me as every day is different. I suppose I get in early before the shop opens to pack up any online orders (this is always with a cup of coffee!) and then dart down to the post office to get them off. Then it’s admin online or paperwork. If I have transferred stock from one shop to the other then that needs unpacking, steaming and hanging. New deliveries throughout the day need to be checked and tagged, and then my size put aside to be photographed at a later date. I ring up our other stores to have a quick catch up with the staff there, letting them know anything new for the day. I am always answering calls from them with questions etc too. 

When the shop is open, throughout the day I will serve customers. As a boutique, our customer service is second to none so I will style my clients depending on their needs. This might be for an occasion or simply to update their wardrobe. If the shop is quiet, then it’s almost like having a personal stylist just for you! I love this part and making someone look and feel good in what they are wearing is hugely satisfying. Lunch is whenever I get a moment! At the end of the day, it’s cleaning (especially with covid regulations, this is thorough and takes a while), cashing up the till and manually taking what has sold in all three stores off our online boutique.

What is your favourite thing that has ever been stocked at Cordelia James?

Ah what a question! We’ve been going for twelve years now so that’s a lot of stuff! I’d probably say there are two things that really stick out in my mind. The first being Olverum Oil. This bath oil changes your life, seriously. I won’t go into a hard sell about it but it just makes my whole body relax and I have never found anything that trumps it. We started stocking it when we opened in Lewes and they’ve just launched their new range of pillow mist and bath salts too – I’m obsessed. The second is a tweed jacket that I was given by Mum just before I started sixth form. It’s so beautiful and had a tweed skirt to match too, so I wore it on suit days at school. I think the jacket sticks in my mind as my first item I truly loved from Cordelia James for years (unfortunately it doesn’t fit me anymore!) but I still have it. It’s a sentimental piece; I don’t think I will ever get rid of it.

Keep up with Cordelia James on Instagram @cordeliajamesboutiques

If Cordelia James had the opportunity to dress any celebrity / public figure, who would you choose and why?

I had to think about this question. There are so many that come to mind. But recently with the news of Biden and Harris… well, it’s got to be Kamala Harris hasn’t it! Have you seen her fashion style when she’s not wearing a suit? Rainbow jackets and everything – she’s super cool and totally my new fashion obsession. Kamala is such an inspirational woman and the way she holds herself makes her the perfect model for beautiful clothing – a real statement of the type of person she is. I can’t wait to see what she has in store.

Which three items do you think are going to be huge this season?

The first is definitely, without a doubt, our faux fur slider slippers with crystal brooches on. These have gone mad this season and are flying out the shop. With more of us spending time at home, these are all anyone wants to wear at the moment! 

I never thought I’d be saying this but, our Breathe Face Masks! These have been popular since we reopened in June and are going well as Christmas presents too. Organic cotton with two filters, they fit so well and go for both men and women. My boyfriend has two and they’re his favourite. We all need plenty of face masks this year! 

Something I’ve already touched on, but probably our top selling item at the moment is the Olverum Pillow Mist. This just smells incredible. Calming and restoring, giving you a perfect night’s sleep, which with everything going on at the moment is so needed.

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L-R: Faux Fur Slider Slippers; Breathe Face Mask; Olverum Pillow Mist

Being a self-confessed ‘bag-aholic’, my top picks on Cordelia James have to be the Faux Fur Cross Body Bag (it’s a hard choice between cranberry or bubblegum pink) or the Double Zip Cross Body Bag, though I don’t know which patterned strap I would choose!

Meg, thank you so much for taking the time to chat to us! Wishing Cordelia James all of the success over the festive season, and if you’re looking for any unique Christmas gifts be sure to hit them up.

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Shop Cordelia James: cordeliajames.com
Follow Cordelia James on Instagram: @cordeliajamesboutiques

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