Bodhi Babes Wonder Women - Natalie Estlick

louisehewison
Sep 22, 2014
4 min read

Meet #BBWW - Natalie Estlick

Natalie is the extremely talented designer/dressmaker at Sister Organics. Natalie designs the most beautiful, unique dresses for all occasions, including weddings! I am so lucky to have modelled her dresses and have a wardrobe full of Natalie's gorgeous designs.

"Sister Organics is a collection of chic dresses made to order in beautiful organic and eco fabrics. We also offer a made-to-measure service and make bespoke occasion wear in eco fabrics."

When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

From about the age of 8 I wanted to work in fashion.

Before that I think I wanted to be a princess.

What do you do now? For work? For fun?

I am a designer/dressmaker and run Sister Organics – a collection of dresses and womenswear made in organic and eco fabrics.

I am a mum and live with my husband and our daughter in Brighton. For fun I spend time with family and friends. My husband is a chef and we’re both into cooking and entertaining, we enjoy camping, traveling and spending time in the countryside.

How did you get into your area of expertise?

I studied at the London College of fashion, then worked for Jessica Ogden, Traid remade and eco fashion label Ciel. I started Sister Organics in 2013 as a way to make some extra money using my skills and interest in eco-fabrics. The internet has made it so much easier to start a creative business with very small investment – so I thought it was time I gave it a go.

What obstacles have you faced in following your dreams and how have you overcome them?

It’s not an easy career option! I have had to work very hard, for little money and work long hours. With small kids childcare is always difficult and it’s hard getting a balance of home and work life. I work most evenings when my daughter is in bed – there just aren’t enough hours in the day!

In terms of my business –It’s really hard to produce affordable clothes – people are used to buying cheap clothes and I can’t compete with high street prices. For me there is something really wrong with the faceless world of high street fashion; where something is made half the world away by someone in a large factory being paid a pittance. While I totally understand that it's great to have affordable fashion available to everyone - I think there should be an awareness that it does come at a cost to both human quality of life and the environment.

I produce clothing that is higher quality, made from beautiful eco fabrics and longer lasting. If you want something made longer/shorter/ bigger/smaller – it’s not a problem as everything is made to order. I can’t produce clothes at high street prices, but I can make individual clothes and special one-off pieces in fabulous fabrics.

What’s the best part of what you do?

I love making dresses and sending them off around the world for adventures. I love having happy customers - I get really sweet thank you emails and photos, which is always really rewarding. But I think the best part is being able to make a living from doing something that uses my skills and that I enjoy.

What advice do you have for other women who might want to follow suit?

Find a niche – don’t imitate – be unique. Have a go and keep learning – think outside of the box.

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What’s your morning routine? Keep it clean ;-)

I usually get up about 7 with my daughter. We chat, read stories and watch peppa pig while we eat breakfast.

3 things that are on your ‘to do’ list today?

Order zips

Finish lace dress sample

Catch up with bookkeeping

What are you working on at the moment? Next project?

At the moment I’m working on some little white dresses - alternative/eco wedding dresses – hopefully online soon!

One woman you admire and why?

I admire Vivienne Westwood, for going against convention, standing up for what she believes in, her eco principles and making fabulous dresses.

Three wishes?

I wish for happiness and good health for my daughter, a prosperous and interesting future and to see more of our beautiful planet.

Who do you turn to for advice?

I usually turn to my sisters for advice. I have 2 sisters- we are similar in personalities but have all taken very different paths so they often have a different perspective on things.

Who do you turn to for a shoulder to cry on?

My husband or my Mum.

Favourite book?

Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Favourite movie?

Hmm…really difficult to choose… Moulin Rouge, LA Story, The Hurt Locker

Favourite childhood game?

I used to love climbing trees, making dens, drawing and dressing up.

Fantasy career? Why?

I’d love to be the fashion buyer for Libertys – go to all the shows and have a multi million pound budget to spend for my favorite store.

Words for Monday motivation?

I’m usually quite focused and motivated on a Monday. I’ve always liked the saying make your money in the morning – and I try to apply the same theory to the week – so I try to get the bulk of my work out of the way by Thursday.

#FeelGoodFriday song?

90’s classic - Groove is in the heart by Deee-lite

Favourite quote?

"Dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth"