In RSVP, we love to celebrate innovative and hard-working women who have taken the initiative to start their own businesses.
Here, Shauna Burke of Doll's Boutique shares why she fell in love with fashion, her top style tip and her proudest moment since setting up the business.
What is your earliest memory of falling in love with fashion?
Since a very young age I’ve been fashion obsessed, but as soon as I started my first part-time job in Kurt Geiger, I became really fashion crazed. I was surrounded by fashion and accessories in work, and as soon as I could afford it I began to invest and fund the wardrobe I had always desired. The influence of social media like Instagram also drove my obsession with the fashion industry.
The essential item every woman should have in their wardrobe?
LBDs are a key component in every woman’s wardrobe. They are so timeless and elegant, can be styled in so many different ways, dressed up with a heel or dressed down with a chunky trainer for a more casual finish.
What is the best style tip you can share?
Accessories are key to complete any outfit, they give a personal touch to each outfit which allows your look to be unique and stand out from the crowd.
What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
It would have to be one of the first items we launched in Doll’s Boutique, the Miyah Short Set. I will always treasure this outfit as it brings back memories of the excitement of the launch. It will forever be a keepsake in my wardrobe.
2020 has changed the fashion industry, how hasyour business adapted?
I lost my job during the first lockdown at the beginning of March. A few months’ later in August, we launched Doll’s Boutique. We operate solely online and with that times are changing, people are now shopping directly through Instagram. There have been some delays with stockists, but we still prevail as we have a very dynamic team. With events like Covid and Brexit you need to have that type of inventiveness and constantly think of ways of developing business.
Your proudest moment since setting up the business?
Our first international sale was definitely my proudest moment. It was a complete “pinch me” moment, and since launching in August last year things have moved quicker than I had ever anticipated. At the beginning our customers were solely friends and family, but now we have customers from all over Europe. We have achieved so much in so little time and I am proud of how far we have come.
Web: www.dolls-boutique.com | Insta: @dollsboutique.ie
E: dollsboutique.ie@gmail.com
