When we were updating the Stand Up To Cancer Care Package we spoke to people currently going through treatment about what they would like to receive in a gift. Writer and editor, Rosamund Dean, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, told us that a silk pillowcase is not only luxurious, but is also gentle on skin made super-sensitive by chemo. We already stocked The Silk Collection’s gorgeous silk eye mask so we were delighted to add their silk pillow cases to our product range as well.

Tell us a bit about how The Silk Collection came about?

I was given a gift of a silk pillowcase many years ago and back then I wasn’t aware of the wide range of benefits it could have for your skin and hair. I remember being amazed after using it for a few months as I really noticed a big difference to my skin and hair. I also found I was sleeping better, which is something I had struggled with for years.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 I finally decided to make the move and start The Silk Collection. I had started it as a passion project and focused on creating a special gifting experience for loved ones, as at the time we couldn’t be with them in person. I wanted to focus the brand on improving mood and overall wellbeing as I studied Psychology at university where I focused on the impact of various factors on mental health. Through studying the importance of sleep and how much it can impact our happiness and overall wellbeing, as well as personally experiencing struggles with getting good quality sleep myself, I knew that I wanted to create a brand focused on this. We donate 10% of all profits to Mind Charity in support of mental health awareness so that we can give back with every order we receive.

How have you found the last 12 months?

Exhausting! Starting a business during a pandemic has its own challenges, and I had underestimated the huge amount of different things involved in launching, and then running a business! Learning everything from scratch can be overwhelming at times, especially when you are facing lots of different challenges for the first time.

Since we launched we have had an amazing level of support and interest which has allowed us to grow much quicker than I had ever expected, which I am so grateful for! We recently celebrated our first birthday so it’s been amazing to look back on the last year and see the progress we’ve made since we first started. Managing our growth has been both a win and a challenge! I am very lucky to have a very understanding fiancé who never complained when our flat was covered in boxes. He would also do the daily trips for almost a year to drop off parcels until we recently moved into a warehouse!

Have you learned anything new in the last 12 months that you will be keeping?

I’ve learned to prioritise time to myself when trying to balance lots of different things. I now consciously keep time aside each week to have absolutely no plans and just relax at home, which is something I never actively did before starting this business! I’ve found this has been so important to help me rest and recharge in between busy periods.
What are your plans or ambitions for the future of The Silk Collection?
I would love The Silk Collection to keep growing and build out our collection further with new lifestyle products. We’re also now looking to expand outside of the UK which is exciting!

I love partnering with other small businesses too so would love to continue doing this. We recently had our first pop-up store on Oxford Street which we hosted with a couple of other small businesses and this was a great experience, so we will be looking to do more in-person events next year too.

A lot of our packages are sent for people going through something, whether that’s illness or a break up or a tough time at work. What’s your go-to product or thing to do when you’re feeling the need for TLC?

A relaxing self-care day! Running a hot bath, listening to relaxing music, reading a book and then having an early night and popping on our silk eye mask is a perfect evening for me!

What is the best gift someone has ever bought for you, or the most thoughtful thing someone has ever done for you?

The best gift would have to be the silk pillowcase which led me to start this business!

A silk pillowcase is a real item of luxury – why do you think everyone should have a silk pillowcase in their life?

We believe in everyday luxury and a silk pillowcase is the perfect way to add a little bit of luxury into your daily sleep routine. We spend around a third of our lives in bed sleeping so why not treat yourself to a silk pillowcase to enjoy each night! The range of benefits a silk pillowcase can have for your skin, hair and overall quality of your sleep are so substantial that we think it should be a part of everyone’s daily routine! They make lovely gifts for loved ones too.

What makes you laugh?

On a daily basis my fiancé keeps me laughing despite all the challenges of running a small business!

Words to live by?

There will never be a perfect time. Start now and do what you can with what you have or you’ll never start.

You can find The Silk Collection products in a variety of our packages.