Happy’s ‘Cath Kidston’ favourites from the online catalogue 2009 … What went Wrong! If only we could jump back to this era! What wonderful creations Cath had on her site and shop back then! What the Hell has happened to Cath Kidston these days! Its been happening a while now…I can’t stand so many of the designs, they are not pretty anymore, they are not vintage inspired at all. They seem to be following Trends rather than sticking to the old sentiments of yesteryear…
The Collage above were my predicted best sellers from the CK shop for Spring 2009…I love these items, so bright, cheerful and right up my street! Luckily I am a dab hand at making button necklaces, so I made myself one of those…infact I have made myself quite a few of those necklaces over the years.
I used to love her Creations, but I also have been a very BIG fan of Vintage and there is nothing like finding a piece of vintage material and making your own bag (or covering your rather dull shopping trolley! hehehe!) or making something that totally takes your fancy yourself. She was so inspiring back then, but these days it’s all mass produced just like everything else and the collaborations? What the hell is that all about!
Okay so we know she doesn’t own the company anymore as In 2010, Cath Kidston sold a majority stake to private equity investors TA Associates, retaining a minority stake and remaining the company’s Creative Director…But then 2 years ago in 2020 they collapsed into administration with a loss of nearly 1,000 jobs and 60 UK Stores, so the Company was bought by investment and restructuring firm Hilco Capital. who also owns Clintons, Habitat and Homebase to name but a few. Since then the fashion retailer has returned to profitability, with sales of £29 million for the year ending March 2022, thanks to investment from Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA).
For me personally the designs got too commercialised and very samey samey! Goodness knows how they have turned the company around as many people I speak to do not like the designs these days, but I suppose the pretty vintage prints of yesteryear do not appeal to the millions…these people like mauve and orange and celestial prints 
, care bears etc etc….Okay so the Care Bears are cute, but the designs for me are just a bit too much, I haven’t loved something on their site enough to buy it for years and that is such a shame because I love spending my money on pretty homewears.
So do you remember our ‘Make Do and Mend’ motto!…in these hard times, lets make our own truly unique vintage pieces…making your own is very creative and you can involve your whole family – kids love getting crafty!…crafting passes the time, that we would of spent going shopping and spending yet more money…Don’t go out and buy something else to help you make what you want use what you already have in you’re home, if you have no material, use clothes that no longer fit you…you can ‘make do and mend’ quite easily you just need a little inspiration and there is plenty around… Have a look on Pinterest, or Instagram there is always something on there that inspires me.
The Cath Kidston’ favourites from the online catalogue of 2009 that I have featured on this post have reminded me of how we used to make bags for one of our friends quaint little shop in Whitstable called the ‘Clothes Horse’ Nicky used to sell vintage and second hand clothes back then, and we used to make different themed bags which were very quirky bright and fun. I used to cut the pattern out from an old oblong chopping board…no difficult patterns were used, just plain common sense, if i can do it so can you!
Get Inspired…look in magazines, catalogues, the internet and your favourite shops. Jot down styles that you like,. Keep a book and paste ideas into it, or keep an online folder and put all inspirational ideas in it! keep referring to it when you want to make something…but rather than copy anything, put your own stamp on it…it will be so fun. And whilst I don’t expect many of you to have a kiln to make mugs, or tins LOL! I think we will all be able to manage a lovely button necklace or vintage bag…For which Cath Kidston sells many all year round, but wouldn’t it be nice to wear one that you have made yourself and get all the compliments for, it will make you so proud of yourself and save you heaps of money too…
THIS POST WAS UPDATED IN NOVEMBER 2022
What a great, inspirational blog!!! I must admit it is second nature to me to see something lovely, & start thinking how I can make it myself?! As a single parent, with not a lot of pennies, I have had to be thrifty, and i do enjoy it!!Keep up the good work : )Have fun!Sharon xx
Hi Hayley,Lovely blog as usual, I love all your colours!I didn’t realize you knew Nicky from Whitstable, we used to work at Portobello Market with her years ago, when Holly was a baby! What a small world!Take care,Ruth x
I am soooooooo deeply jealous. The shipping to the US is so incredibly high (and the exchange rate is killer) that I will not being getting one of those fabulous messenger bags. Darn!!
Nothing inspires creativity like hard times! Love the “make do and mend motto”.Take Care!Emily
Thats alot of pretty eye candy and tons of inspiration.
Great idea! I certainly have enough stuff on hand to create many many unique items – now to find the time to do it. Thanks for providing the inspiration!
I have a book ( a fabric covered binder) that I keep pictures from magazines in to inspire me. I also have a folder in my pictures on the computer where I save pics that inspire me and when I want to create something but feel lost for ideas, I just look through them and the ideas really flow!
I like your blog. I think it is inspiring, has a lot of good idèas and lovely photos. I’ll be back!! Have a great Sunday.
Your blog definitly is one of my inspirations. I love the make do mend. I’ve been looking for a reason to go to the new Goodwill near me! Thank you. I really love your blog.
Fantastic ideas, Happy, and lovely photos. Your Make Do and Mend philosophy is so much in line with mine, and with the times. However, I feel so sorry for people like Rachel Ashwell from Shabby Chic, and wonder how well Cath Kidston will do through the crisis too… My sister, a journalist, was telling me how much her income has gone down as people turn to blogs rather than buying magazines (exactly as I am doing!) Oh well, we can’t exactly buy CK stuff as an act of charity, can we?..
Gorgeous..I think your blog is as inspiring as any book! Great how you pick out the red/blue combination so well.When I am walking around CK today (I am off from sunny Devon,to Bristol), I will remember your blog and tell myself that I can make a few of the things on show!! (Well maybe!!)Have a great weekend!!;-)
What a cool fun happy blog!
wow.. look at all the bright and cheery things! I LOVE that canister set! Love it! happy valentines day!
I’ve kept a folder like that for years…kinda helps define ones own style…I figured out that I like color. LOL. LOVE Cath Kidston.c
You could easily make those egg cosies too. The beauty of polka dot is that it doesn’t have to be made using an expensive fabric!I completely agree, I rarely buy pre-made CK things rather I use it as inspiration for my own makes or for cheaper alternatives.