We were lucky to catch up with Elizabeth Rees recently and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Eliza Eliza is a purpose-driven, sustainably conscious fashion brand, devoted to enabling you to ignite conversations on the causes dear to your heart. Founded by Elizabeth Rees in 2016, our mission is to support and empower you in making meaningful connections with the issues that hold significance in your life.

Carry Your Cause
Our pouches were initially designed for organising tote bags. However, their enduring and organic allure PLUS timeless and natural beauty inspired our bag users to proudly carry them as stylish clutches on their own.

Recognising the power to make a difference, we began partnering with charities, starting with Unseen UK in Spring 2017.

Subsequently, we launched our acclaimed V Collection with The Eve Appeal and The B Collection supporting CoppaFeel, amplifying important causes while inspiring conversations.

1. Conversation
Our mission is to elevate and inspire you to start impactful conversations on the issues that matter most to you.

At the very core of Eliza Eliza — a mission to elevate, inspire, and empower you. We are committed to encouraging you to embrace your voice and passionately engage in conversations that resonate with your heart and soul.

Our aim is to empower you with the tools – our bags and accessories, to create ripples of change in the world.

2. Creative
At Eliza Eliza, we take great pride in collaborating with talented artists from various corners of the world to infuse our creations with distinct and captivating charm. By joining forces with these brilliant minds, we breathe life into our designs, turning them into true works of art.

Our commitment to collaboration stems from our belief in the power of creativity and diversity. Each artist we work with brings their unique perspectives, experiences and cultural influences, resulting in an eclectic and vibrant collection of bags and accessories.

Through these creative partnerships, we celebrate the beauty of artistic expression while supporting and empowering talented individuals. With each purchase, you become part of a collective journey that connects artists and appreciators across borders, uniting us all in the pursuit of art, inspiration, and positive impact.

3. Charity
Our heart is deeply connected to the meaningful charities we have thoughtfully chose to partner with and support. With great pride, the Eliza Eliza community have raised over £5,000 for these remarkable organisations, making a positive impact on causes we wholeheartedly believe in. Each partnership reflects our commitment to giving back.

For every sale made, we pledge to give 10% of the proceeds to these valuable causes. With each purchase, you become an integral part of our collective effects to create positive change.

4. Cultivation
cultivate – verb. to try to develop and improve something.

Right from the outset, it was important to meticulously choose fabrics and materials used for our bags and accessories to resonate our passion for preserving the Earth.

Every selection is driven by the unwavering resolve to minimise our ecological footprint while upholding the highest ethical standards.

From the British woven organic hemp-cotton material used for our bags, to the natural rubber, plastic free elastic used in the scrunchies. Eliza Eliza is constantly seeking new ways to produce our bags and accessories in the most consciously sustainable way possible.

Elizabeth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Elizabeth Rees, founder and maker of Eliza Eliza. I’m a mother of 3 boys (aged 5,8 and 11) living in a village on the outskirts of Cardiff.

I initially studied exploration and resource geology at Cardiff University. Then decided to dive headfirst into the world of teaching- got myself a PGCE at Bath Spa University, specialising in secondary geography.

I bounced around different schools in Cardiff and South Wales, trying to make geography cool for the kids! But then life threw me the best curveball: three amazing boys who became my whole world. So, I hit pause on teaching to be a full-time mum.

During those chaotic, beautiful years, I stumbled upon my creative side. That’s when ‘Eliza Eliza’ came to life – a little side gig which snowballed in to a business of passion. Sustainably conscious organic cotton/hemp bags and accessories striving to start conversations around the causes that matter. I found I was especially drawn to typically ‘taboo’ topics such as gynaecological health, mental health and gender equality.

Nowadays, I’m still juggling mum life, recently dipped my toe back in to teaching and a dash of entrepreneurship. It’s a crazy ride, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve had to learn to blow my own trumpet and have confidence in my own abilities. When I initially started Eliza Eliza, I struggled to believe that, without much experience I was worthy of being allowed to call my self an entrepreneur or fashion accessories designer.

We are all capable of turning our business ideas in to reality. even without any experience. These days I’m not afraid to ask for help and advice, continue to educate myself, if money is tight there is so much free training available online via webinars and You Tube, attending networking events and if all else fails…Fake it till you make it!!

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I sew the majority of the products myself, it’s a labour of love, my happy time, cutting out fabric, pressing, sat at my sewing machine whilst listening to my favourite music playlist – retro J-Lo and Beyonce currently in my ears or a good podcast – always been a big fan of Steven Barlett’s Diary of a CEO but I also try to keep up to date with world affairs via The Guardian’s ‘Today in Focus’ podcast.

During the pandemic, I pivoted like so many businesses to produce masks and as there was such a huge demand (who knew so many people would want vulvas or boobs on their face!) I started working with a local seamstress in the village. Naomi has been essential asset to Eliza Eliza and although no longer needs to sew masks she’s my go to for the Tote Bags!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elizaeliza.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizaelizauk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizaelizauk
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-rees-72b194138
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/elizaelizauk

Image Credits
Gemma Griffiths Photography – https://gemmagriffithsphotography.co.uk/