“I would love to collaborate with other small bridal brands to plan something special for brides. I’ve done this a few times before and it’s always so lovely knowing we’ve brought a little bit of joy into a bride’s planning journey.” Sadaf Pourzand of For The Love Of Pearls on a brand she would love to collaborate with
Are you a pearl kind of girl? If so, you’re going to love the fresh new bridal brand on the block. Get ready to embrace For The Love Of Pearls, a label founded in May 2020 by designer Sadaf Pourzand, built to “create custom designs for discerning brides, astute creatives and elegant style icons.” Crafting hand-embellished garments from the finest of materials and offering a truly bespoke service for her bridal clients, you’ll instantly feel the achingly cool edge that runs through the veins of FTLOP. Since its launch, For The Love Of Pearls has truly bloomed, captivating a blossoming Instagram following as well as being featured in the likes of publishing giants, Tatler. We can’t wait to see what other pearls of wisdom (sorry) Sadaf comes up with…
I caught up with Sadaf to get the lowdown on her lockdown 3.0…
#1 We’ve just gone into Lockdown 3. In three words, describe how you are currently feeling…
No.1 “Accustomed – after three lockdowns I’ve almost got used to this new lifestyle, I have found it so useful to stick to a routine.”
No.2 “Focused – having a routine has helped me stay focused to reach my goals and with lockdown/nowhere to go I feel like this is the perfect time to be focused.”
No.3 “Hopeful – with the start of the vaccination I see the light at the end of the tunnel and feel very optimistic.”
#2 Talk to us about your usual daily routine for your business and how this will change in lockdown…
“Luckily, my daily routine has not been affected by lockdown – business carries on as usual. I still have full access to the studio which is brilliant.
So… I’m normally in the studio by around 9am. I spend the morning doing admin, this includes reading through emails, answering any enquiries, checking stock and making any new material orders and printing out all new order invoices. Then I spend the second half of the day making all bespoke orders, handwriting thank you notes and packing up the orders to be taken to the post office the following day.
I’m the happiest when I’m in the studio, I really love it so much.”
#3 How will/does lockdown impact your business, and how can people (brides/the wedding industry) support you throughout?
“For The Love Of Pearls was born in lockdown so we haven’t had a chance to experience the business during better times. As you can imagine the wedding and events industry has been affected so much by the pandemic – I think maybe for some brides buying bridal accessories may be pushed to the bottom of their priorities list. However, saying that, we have had so many brides who have purchased For The Love Of Pearls pieces to keep themselves motivated during their wedding planning journey.
We are so excited to see where life takes us once the world is Covid free!”
#4 Name three small businesses on Instagram you are supporting or would like to support more…
No.1 “@bloomingbubblesltd – such talented, kind and supportive ladies, I feel like we have built a lovely relationship over the past few months as both our businesses were born during lockdown.”
No.2 “@tothemoonandbacksocial – I absolutely love their products and packaging, so elegant and beautiful, you can tell so much thought and planning has been put into every product and they definitely are a business which I would like to support more.”
No.3 “@before.the.i.dos – another small bridal business, I love everything about this business, and I get filled with excitement every time a new product is launched!”
#5 Favourite lockdown snack? Has this evolved from lockdown 1?
“My absolute favourite snack is Flamin’ Hot Wotsits – I have an unhealthy addiction to these. I could literally finish a whole (large) pack in under two minutes.”
#6 What’s your most recommended lockdown pick-me-up when you’re feeling down during lockdown? What’s getting you through the days?
“I read through positive quotes, I have an App called “I am” and it sends me positive affirmations every hour or so and I find them so helpful, especially on days that I need the reminders to stay positive.”
#7 What’s the item you can now NEVER find in the supermarket (and consequently dreamt continuously about) during lockdown?
“I am obsessed with pink dragon fruits and I can never find them, I know they taste no different to the white ones, I just love cutting through them and seeing the luminous pink colour!”
#8 Name a dinner/meal or beverage choice you feel might bring someone joy to their lockdown life…
“Nandos Peri Peri Bag & Bake – oh my! If you haven’t already tried these and you love Nandos as much as I do then you must give these a go!”
#9 Talk us through what’s new at your brand…
“We were due to fully launch our embroidered jackets this month, but with lockdown we have had to postpone our photoshoot. We have had to introduce all the embroidered designs on our Instagram stories for pre-orders which has been successful so far, but we can’t wait to do the photoshoot and upload all these beautiful designs on the website.
We are trying to be more conscious and sustainable with the brand, this is really important to us. We have done a lot of research to make sure all the new packaging/taping is eco-friendly and we are now slowly taking a step towards sustainability with our products too. We will be launching a sustainable collection in spring and couldn’t be more excited for this!”
#10 What’s your lockdown outfit most days? Have you, say, developed an unhealthy attachment to the elasticated waists of your leggings like myself?
“I live in jumpers/hoodies and my Topshop jeans; they are literally the most comfortable pair of jeans I own (when I heard Topshop was going into administration, I ordered enough pairs to last me a lifetime haha), they’re as comfortable as leggings but they make me feel better!”
#11 What series have you now completed on Netflix/Amazon Prime etc.? Any recommendations?
“You know the meme “I’ve finished Netflix” – that’s me! I work better with background noise, so I always have something playing. I’ve recently watched or rewatched: Tiny Pretty Things, Power, Marlon, Bridgeton, The Crown, Queen Gambit, New Girl, Modern Family, Sister Sister, Suits and the list goes on!”
#12 The person(s) you will hug first when social distancing is no longer in place?
“Arrr my best friend Despina, she has been my rock and I really wouldn’t be where I am with the business (or in life) if it wasn’t for her. She is my personal life coach, always there for me and gives the best/honest advice – everyone needs a Despina in their life!”
#13 An act of kindness towards you that you’ve really appreciated during lockdown?
“Three come into mind and I’m struggling to only choose one:
When I first launched For The Love Of Pearls, Brides Of Southampton (@Bridesofsouthampton1976) got in touch with me to showcase my jackets, and I appreciated this so much. The ladies at the store are all so wonderful, helpful and kind individuals!
My lovely friend Karisha from @Cremedelacakes has been so supportive of me and this venture. I’ve gone to Karisha a lot for business advice and she has been absolutely incredible!
And also, my friend Stephanie from @bythewaycreative has been so kind and helpful. She has helped me a lot with the copywriting for the website and business – I am so grateful!”
#14 For a little Instagram-escapism and positivity, what account would you recommend?
“For positivity/motivation/quotes: @Vexking and @steven
For a laugh: @Stefftodd and @mytherapistsays.”
#15 Name three things the lockdown has made you grateful for:
No.1 “My health.”
No.2 “My family.”
No.3 “My creativity.”
#16 Which restaurant will you dine at first once restrictions are lifted again?
“Blue Jasmin in Southampton, I’m dribbling at the thought of their crispy duck and also the Okra Fries at Dishoom!!”
#17 What would be your five film recommendations to watch during lockdown…
- “A Star Is Born
- The Hustle
- The Social Dilemma
- Instant Family
- The Secret: Dare To Dream“
#18 What book would be top of your lockdown book list?
“I listen to audiobooks a lot but two books that I currently have in the studio and refer to almost every day are: Everyday Hope 365 Ways To A Positive Life and Good Vibes Good Life by Vex King – they are the perfect books to keep me positive and on track.”
#19 Name an odd purchase you’ve made during lockdown…
“Odd but useful, a contactless hygiene key so I don’t have to touch doors etc when out haha.”
#20 The best gift you received this festive period?
“This is going to make me look like such an old woman, but my fiancé and I are just renovating our house and I asked for dining chairs for Christmas, which I’m SO obsessed with!”
#21 Name a brand you would love to collaborate with…
“I would love to collaborate with other small bridal brands to plan something special for brides. I’ve done this a few times before and it’s always so lovely knowing we’ve brought a little bit of joy into a bride’s planning journey.”
#22 What’s your advice to lockdown brides?
“There is a lot that goes into wedding planning and it can be so stressful, no matter how big or small a wedding is, but having to plan a wedding during a pandemic is even tougher! As a Covid bride myself, I know how stressful it has been – we’ve had to postpone our wedding twice now and it has been an emotional process each time… I just keep reminding myself that this will pass, and we will have our day, it may not be the day we originally planned and hoped for, but the end result will be the same – I will be marrying the love of my life.
So, my advice is, as difficult, stressful and emotionally draining this journey has been, just try to remember that your day will come and it will be amazing because you will be marrying the love of your life and at the end of the day that is all that matters.”
#23 Your favourite wine/cocktail/drink? Or tea/coffee/hot chocolate?
“Wine: Oyster Bay.
Cocktail: Espresso Martini or a Berry Mojito.
Coffee: Wet extra hot oat milk late.”
#24 Name your favourite magazine to curl up with.
“I absolutely love scrolling through Architectural Digest for inspiration, I always find myself dribbling over beautiful interior shots.”
Head to the For The Love Of Pearls website for further information and to discover the brand’s beautiful designs.
Want to read more WFH Diary entries from your favourite bridal brands, boutiques and designers? Head on over to the Bridal Editor WFH Diary page.
