INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH HEAD OF CREATIVE KIT deBRETTON GORDON

What inspired you to pursue a creative career?

At every opportunity growing up, my two sisters and I would lay out our enormous collection of Woolworths felt tip pens in colour order, so I was always surrounded by art, and drawing. It was a highly creative household. At school, my favourite subject was art and I knew I wanted to pursue a creative career.

My father was a tailor in Hong Kong before we emigrated to the UK when I was little. Dad came to England before we did, and both my parents worked incredibly hard running a takeaway to provide for us. I always remember Dad practising Chinese calligraphy in his spare time. His brush pens and ink would sweep over the paper, creating these amazing designs. It was beautiful; totally fascinating to watch.

As well as having a creative career. I also love making things with my hands. At home I have a potter’s wheel and I love to knit and sew garments. As a family, when we travel, we always visit galleries and exhibitions – creativity and artistry are in the genes.

What was your first job?

When I left school, I did a ceramics degree in Staffordshire, and then a masters. My first job was a product designer for a company called Cloverleaf Ltd – a giftware and tableware company which designed the well-known Peaches & Cream homeware in the 80s. Everyone had Peaches & Cream, on everything from dinner plates to utensil holders.

The first piece I designed was a bathroom cabinet, for Argos, with a fancy shell detail. I didn’t like it very much, but I had to follow the brief!  Cloverleaf is no longer trading, but I have very fond memories of my time there.

What brought you to Robert Welch?

After Cloverleaf, I spent several years in the Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent freelancing for well-known tableware brands including Waterford Wedgwood. I worked full-time for the Wedgwood brand for eight years before taking maternity leave with my daughter.

My husband Paul accepted a job as a designer for Robert Welch and needed someone else in the design department. When our daughter was three months old, I started part-time, so I could spend time with our young family. That was 20 years ago, and I’m now full-time Head of Creative with my son Will, a videographer, working alongside me in the creative team. I’m incredibly proud of him.

What does the role mean to you? 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #GiveToGain, which is apt. I took the role because I wanted to help. It’s allowed me to guide the creative team in the look and feel of the brand, from our packaging designers to the photographers and videographers, copywriters, and the social media team.

I feel I can impart 20 years of knowledge while making sure we’re still moving forward as a modern company.  Over the past two decades, we’ve seen many changes and remarkable growth – with Robert’s legacy still guiding our design path and company ethos today, in the very studio where he started it all in the Fifties. It’s a privilege to be here and to work with such a talented, visionary team.

Which women have inspired you, and why?

 My sisters and my mum have been a huge inspiration to me. I’m the eldest of four, and we are all very different. I admire them immensely, along with my brother and dad of course. I’m lucky I’m still surrounded by an incredibly creative, close-knit group of friends, from university and the places I’ve worked.

Describe your design philosophy

I don’t have a set design philosophy; I’ve been exceptionally lucky to work with premium brands and mentored throughout my career by some brilliant people. Having the right team around you is key. Support is important from all areas, and one thing I’ve learned about myself is that there are no half-measures.

Which design for Robert Welch has brought you the most pride?

The Drift teapot. On the surface, it looks like a beautiful teapot. But there are so many hidden features that have taken a lot of consideration, from the handle that reflects a perfect heart shape on the lid, to the stay-cool handle and the internal grate that catches tea leaves. The best feature is that it’s non-drip for a perfect pour. 

Name three Robert Welch pieces you can’t live without at home

Professional knives, which Paul designed, have been a staple in our kitchen ever since they were launched. The 12cm Santoku is my favourite – it’s the smallest Santoku, and the perfect size for my hands.

Kingham is in our cutlery drawer at the moment. It’s contemporary and elegant. It’s named after the Cotswolds village which is widely thought of as the most perfect and unspoiled village in England, and it’s endlessly versatile.

The small Drift teapot. I’m an avid tea drinker – builders, jasmine, chrysanthemum, mint, you name it, I’ll drink it. Tea always tastes better in a teapot, and the Drift teapot is full of clever features. I love it.

You’re hosting a dinner party. Which women – dead or alive – are on your guest list?

Oh, that’s hard. But probably my mum, who’s 75 now, and my sisters, and my daughter, Maisy, who is studying to be a fashion designer. She’s fearless, and I love that about her. We don’t all get together as much as I’d like, and it would be wonderful to sit around the table with my family and my university friends, too. There would be so much to talk about.

How are women celebrated at Robert Welch?

There are a lot of women in senior roles at Robert Welch, from our Head of UK Sales (Trade) to our Customer Sales & Support Team Leader, Hospitality & Trade Team Leader to the Head of HR, and of course me. Although Alice [Welch] isn’t involved in the day-to-day running of the business anymore, she’s still our Chairwoman. Her leadership has shaped the whole company and its philosophy of championing women and still does to this day.

What advice would you give your younger self? 

Don’t be afraid to try things. if you don’t like it, you can change it. Nothing is set in stone. Give yourself permission to divert to pivot. It’s the advice I give my children, and I wish I’d been able to tell myself that when I was starting out.